Tito Ortiz believes that Cristiane Justino would have beaten Ronda Rousey just as impressively as Holly Holm.
Holly Holm put on an almost flawless performance against Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. But, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz believes his teammate Cris Cyborg — real name Cristiane Justino — would have fared just as well against “Rowdy”.
Holm, a multiple-time world boxing champion, entered the Octagon against Rousey as a massive underdog but left with the women’s bantamweight title wrapped around her waist. “The Preacher’s Daughter” out-manoeuvred Rousey with superior footwork and countered the Olympian’s bull rushing attacks with a series of 1-2 combinations. Holm landed a devastating head kick in the 2nd round and followed up with hammer fists to end the fight.
Ortiz, 41, respects Holly Holm but feels that Cyborg is the true women’s pound-for-pound #1.
“Cris Cyborg is the pound-for-pound best woman in the world, I believe,” Ortiz told MMA Fighting after Invicta FC 15. “Holly Holm did what Cris would have done to Ronda. Holly Holm got that chance. She’s a great woman champion. But Cris is one of the most vicious fighters in the world.”
Invicta FC 15’s main event saw Justino obliterate Daria Ibragimova to retain her featherweight belt. The Brazilian is riding a 5-fight win streak and has scored four KO’s in the opening round.
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” believes Cyborg’s skills are unparalleled and says Brazilians are the toughest fighters in the world.
“She just attacks,” Ortiz said. “There’s no woman fighter in the world like her at all. She’s bred to fight. She comes from Brazil and Brazilians are the toughest fighters in the world. She loves this. This is fun for her.”
Cyborg vs. Rousey was the fantasy matchup on everyone’s superfight list but Holm spoiled the party at UFC 193. Ortiz says Justino’s team are angling for a 140 lbs. catchweight fight with the UFC champion in the near-future.
“Holly Holm said she would come up and Cris would cut that extra five pounds,” Ortiz said. “That extra five pounds is hurting her a little bit, but Cris is willing to do it. Just to give it to the fans. That’s the kind of fighter Cris is, to give the fans fights. That’s what she wants. She’ll fight anybody, man.”