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Germaine De Randamie Explains Why She Wants Holm Rematch Before Cyborg

Inaugural women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie wants to make her first title defense a rematch against Holly Holm. The Dutch champ defeated Holm via controversial unanimous decision earlier this month at UFC 208 to become the first ever female 145-pound champion in the UFC, however, after two late hits at the end of two

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Inaugural women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie wants to make her first title defense a rematch against Holly Holm.

The Dutch champ defeated Holm via controversial unanimous decision earlier this month at UFC 208 to become the first ever female 145-pound champion in the UFC, however, after two late hits at the end of two separate rounds many argue that a point should have been taken away from ‘The Iron Lady.’ Following the contest de Randamie took some heat for indicating that she may need to get her hand surgically prepared before fighting again, while none other than Cris Cyborg was sitting cage-side as the next likely challenger for the strap.

Today (Mon. February 20, 2017) de Randamie joined The MMA Hour (quotes via MMA Mania) to explain that she isn’t running from the ‘beatable’ Cyborg, but is focused on determining if the injury to her hand will affect the longevity of her career. She also mentioned that she believes Holm is deserving of a rematch given the way the fight went down:

“I’ve said I need surgery on my hand, that’s inevitable,” said de Randamie. “But I never said I need surgery right now. Am I going to have permanent damage if I fight again? That is something I have to evaluate with my doctor. I truly apologize for not making that clear, but I don’t run away from anybody.”

“I knew Cyborg was there and there is no reason for me to run, everyone is beatable and it is an honor for me to fight such a great champion like Cyborg. I am not running. But at this point, I do believe Holly deserves the rematch.”

The featherweight champ continued to express that she believes ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is deserving of the next shot at the throne, but isn’t opposed to giving the fans what they want and stepping into the Octagon against Cyborg if that is what the UFC has planned next:

“I completely understand people want to see that fight, and that fight will eventually happen, but first I got to fight Holly to clear everything up,” she said. “Everything that has been said, I think she deserves the rematch, first. A few weeks ago, it wasn’t clear if Cyborg would be cleared to fight soon, now that she’s cleared (with USADA), if the fight is going to happen, it will happen anyway, but Holly deserves it first to settle things up.”

Who do you think is next in line for a shot at de Randamie’s featherweight title?

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Cris Cyborg: The Uncrowned Featherweight Queen

For years, fight fans drooled over the idea of a potential super fight between former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Invicta FC champion Cris Cyborg Justino. At one point, it was clear that Rousey and Justino were the best in the world in regards to women’s MMA, but in the fight game, fans

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For years, fight fans drooled over the idea of a potential super fight between former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Invicta FC champion Cris Cyborg Justino.

At one point, it was clear that Rousey and Justino were the best in the world in regards to women’s MMA, but in the fight game, fans always want to know who the true king, or queen in this case, of the jungle is. The weight disparity between the two, however, has always proved to be too much of a barrier to the fight taking place.

Rousey has since brutally fallen from her throne, but Cyborg has indeed made her way over to the UFC. Making her Octagon debut at May 2016’s UFC 198, Justino scored a vicious first round knockout victory over Leslie Smith in a 140-pound catchweight bout. She followed that up with yet another impressive stoppage victory over Lina Lansberg this past September in her native Brazil with the bout once again taking place at 140 pounds.

Photo Credit: Jason Silva for USA TODAY Sports

It was clear that Cyborg’s brutal knockout power transferred over to the Octagon quite nicely. It was also clear that she was a legitimate draw and a legitimate star, but it was even clearer that she would never fight at 135 pounds. Weight once again proved to be an issue as she struggled to make the 140-pound catchweight limit.

The UFC, being the money-driven business it is, however, knew Cyborg was a valuable asset and an asset worth keeping, which is why they created a women’s featherweight division. The inaugural female 145-pound champion was crowned in the main event of last weekend’s (Feb. 11, 2017) UFC 208 from Brooklyn, New York, but oddly enough, Justino was not involved in the fight.

Instead, former bantamweight champion Holly Holm took on Dutch striker Germaine de Randamie. Shortly after the bout was announced, Cyborg was flagged by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for a potential anti-doping violation. Given that she has dealt with performance-enhancing-drug issues in the past, few were surprised that Justino was flagged, and it then made sense why she wasn’t a part of UFC 208’s main event.

De Randamie went on to win a somewhat controversial decision over Holm, but the division was left in a clutter. It had a champion who few felt was the best featherweight in the world, and a clear lack of contenders.

Yesterday (Feb. 17, 2017), however, it was announced that Justino had a received a retroactive TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption), meaning that she was eligible to compete in the UFC immediately.

With that being said, it’s clear that de Randamie vs. Justino is the fight to make, despite the fact that “The Iron Lady” said she may need hand surgery when asked about fighting the Brazilian slugger.

Either way, the fight world will likely get to see what it’s been waiting so long for: Cris Cyborg competing in the UFC at her natural weight. In other words, the uncrowned featherweight queen should finally get the chance to capture her crown.

Will she seize the opportunity?

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Cyborg: I’m The Real 145-Pound Champion

Cris Cyborg feels that she is the true pound-for-pound best female mixed martial artist in the world, and she has the stats to back it up. Justino was in attendance during this past weekend’s (Sat. February 11, 2017) inaugural women’s featherweight title bout between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208, and is

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Cris Cyborg feels that she is the true pound-for-pound best female mixed martial artist in the world, and she has the stats to back it up.

Justino was in attendance during this past weekend’s (Sat. February 11, 2017) inaugural women’s featherweight title bout between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208, and is likely to challenge the new Dutch champ after her unanimous decision win over ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’.

During a recent interview with FOX Sports, Cyborg stated that regardless of who is currently holding the title at 145 pounds, mixed martial arts (MMA) fans know who the true champion of the division is:

“ESPN and FOX Sports both have me ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in women’s mixed martial arts. I haven’t lost in 10 years,” Cyborg said. “Until someone beats me I am No. 1 in the world no matter what belt is around my waist.”

The UFC’s original plans preferred Cyborg to be a part of the inaugural 145-pound title contest this past weekend, but the Brazilian knockout artist turned the bout down on multiple occasions due to the inability to make weight on time. Now Justino finds herself in a battle with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a potential violation.

While in attendance at the Barclays Center this past weekend and watching De Randamie take home the featherweight crown, however, Justino was not disappointed that she was cage-side rather than inside the Octagon for the historic moment; but happy that the division has finally found its way to the UFC:

“I was not ready to fight Feb.11th. Germaine is a great fighter and a win over Holly only helps increase her star power,” Cyborg said. “It wasn’t disappointing to be sitting cage side, I was excited because the UFC has made the division. I am ranked No. 1 in the world at 145-pounds and feel confident the fans know that too.”

Photo by Ed Mulholland for USA TODAY Sports

De Randamie took home a controversial unanimous decision win over Holm after delivering late punches after the horn that signaled the round’s end, on two separate occasions. The referee failed to deduct a point from ‘The Iron Lady’ for the late shots, and given that each judge scored the contest 48-47 for De Randamie, the contest could have arguably ended in a draw had a point been taken.

As for how Cyborg had the bout scored, she believes the judges made the right decision in giving the former muay thai champ the nod:

“I had Germaine de Randamie winning. It was a close fight but the damage done by significant strikes by de Randamie made the difference in my opinion,” Cyborg said. “Holly needed to chain her wrestling transitions better to get that takedowns.”

After the contest De Randamie claimed she will need some time off to get surgery on her injured hand before making her first title defense. Cyborg is happy to give the featherweight champ the time she needs to recover, and already has an opponent in mind that she’d like to step into the Octagon with next to keep her busy:

“I am ready to enter fight camp now. If [de Randamie] is injured and can’t fight I would like a chance to fight Megan Anderson,” Cyborg said. “She is an interim champion for the belt I own and calling out fighters in the UFC.

“It only makes sense if [de Randamie] is not ready to fight that the UFC would offer her a contract and a chance to fight me on the biggest stage, inside the UFC octagon. I think it would be a great addition to the June event in Rio if she’s ready to fight.”

When asked why she turned down the two opportunities to compete for the inaugural featherweight title before, Cyborg revealed that her body was not ready to go through another vigorous weight cut so soon once again:

“I needed to give my body time to recover from my past two weight cuts. I’ve given my body a proper off season allowing it to recover and am ready to start training camp soon,” Cyborg said.

“My USADA situation is still ongoing and at this time I have no comment, but am hopeful my lawyer and doctors will resolve this and are cooperating fully with USADA.”

“Let’s go champ,” Cyborg said.

Do you think Cyborg will win her case against USADA? Who do you think we’ll see her fight next upon her Octagon return?

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Cyborg: I Never Took Career Advice From Tito Ortiz

The UFC will finally implement a female 145-pound division after heavy campaigning from Invicta FC featherweight champ Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino, but unfortunately for the Brazilian champ she won’t be part of the historical contest. Instead the inaugural belt will be contested for by former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and No. 10-ranked Germaine de

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Instead the inaugural belt will be contested for by former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and No. 10-ranked Germaine de Randamie in the main event of UFC 208 next month (Saturday, February 11, 2017). UFC President Dana White reportedly offered Justino the opportunity to be in the title bout twice, but she turned them both down as she couldn’t make the weight in time.

Now a bit more to the story has come to light, as Cyborg was flagged by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a potential anti-toping violation. The failed out-of-competition test has sparked much speculation, leading many to believe that Justino denied the bouts because she knew she’d fail a test.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion and current Bellator MMA star Tito Ortiz recently spoke on the matter (via MMA Mania) and stated that he advised Cyborg to take the title bout. Justino would tell Ortiz, however, that she instead wanted some time off to enjoy the holidays with her family:

“I told her to take the fight,” Ortiz said. “She said, ‘Tito, I’ve been working really, really hard for the last three years. I’ve been cutting a lot of weight. I want to enjoy Christmas time. I want to go on vacation,’ and I understood that. Personally, I understood that,” said Ortiz.

According to Ray Elbe, one of Justino’s representatives, however, that conversation between Cyborg and Ortiz never took place:

“Cyborg has not sought career advice from him in some time as he no longer plays a part in her management.”

Both Ortiz and Cyborg have their own fights to focus on for the time being, as Ortiz has a date with former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger Chael Sonnen under the Bellator MMA banner; and Cyborg is preparing for her fight against USADA as she could be staring at a lengthy suspension as a result of her failed test.

Cyborg will be forced to watch two other women compete for the division she helped create’s title from the sidelines, but at only 31-years-old she could potentially return to challenge for the title upon the end of her pending suspension.

Holly Holm and De Randamie will meet in the main event of UFC 208 live on pay-per-view (PPV) for the inaugural women’s featherweight title, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

Ortiz and Sonnen will collide in the main event of Bellator 170 on Spike TV from The Forum arena in Inglewood, California on January 21, 2017.

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Tito Ortiz: I Told Cyborg To Take Featherweight Title Fight

Last month it was reported that Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg Justino had been flagged by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for a potential anti-doping violation. Prior to that, UFC President Dana White said that the promotion had offered her two fights for the inaugural UFC 145-pound title, but she denied both of them,

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Justino has competed twice in the UFC thus far, finishing Leslie Smith and Lina Lansberg in 140-pound catchweight bouts. Typically competing at featherweight, it was surprising to hear that the Brazilian slugger turned down multiple title fights in her respective division, but perhaps the potential violation had something to do with that.

Either way, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, who used to manage Cyborg, recently told MMAJunkie that he advised her to take the title fight:

“I told her to take the fight,” Ortiz said. “She said, ‘Tito, I’ve been working really, really hard for the last three years. I’ve been cutting a lot of weight. I want to enjoy Christmas time. I want to go on vacation,’ and I understood that. Personally, I understood that.”

As far as Justino’s situation with USADA goes, Ortiz was reluctant to comment on the manner:

“The situation she’s going through right now, from what I’ve heard through her attorney and what I’ve heard from her, it was strictly from her doctor,” Ortiz said. “So I have no input on that at all. I don’t know. I’m not going to make any statements at all about it, because I know zero about it.”

Interestingly enough, Ray Elbe, a representative of Justino’s, denied the fighter consulting with Ortiz:

“She has not sought career advice from him in some time as he no longer plays a part in her management, he said.”

Ortiz will return to action next month (Jan. 21, 2017) in the main event of Bellator 170 as he takes on former UFC title challenge Chael Sonnen.

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Dana White: Making The Female Featherweight Division Blew Up On Me

For quite some time now Invicta FC featherweight champ Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino has been campaigning for the UFC to implement a female 145-pound division, and UFC President Dana White finally budged. Sadly Justino could not make-weight in time to participate in the inaugural championship bout, and the match-up was made between former UFC bantamweight champion

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Sadly Justino could not make-weight in time to participate in the inaugural championship bout, and the match-up was made between former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie to collide for the historical feat. It was later revealed that ‘Cyborg’ failed an out-of-competition United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) test, and much speculation arose as to why she couldn’t make the 145-pound weight limit.

Dana White recently participated in a media scrum in Las Vegas this past weekend (Friday December 30, 2016) for the UFC 207 pay-per-view (PPV) event, courtesy of MMA Junkie, stated that deciding to make the female featherweight division has subsequently blown up in his face:

“Obviously, the plans that I had for 145 were just all – they didn’t go the way I thought it was going to go,” White said. “Both those girls wanted to fight Cyborg, right? And stylistically, they’re both great matchups for Cyborg. I actually like both of those fights. Germaine and Holly are both great fights for Cyborg.

“Cyborg got her 145-pound title in her division and that all blew up on me.”

While Justino’s first two UFC victories came at the catchweight of 140 pounds, White revealed that ‘Cyborg’ claimed she was open to cutting to 135 pounds to compete in the women’s bantamweight division when negotiation with former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta:

“If you were in the discussions when she came on board,” White said, “she was 100 percent into cutting down to 135. And she met with Lorenzo (Fertitta) – her and Lorenzo met and they had conversations and her plan was to get to 135. Obviously, that’s the money division.

“Even at 145 pounds, it’s not really the money division. But maybe she could have turned it into something. But that was never the original plan.”

Although the plan was to build the featherweight division around ‘Cyborg’, White is till excited about the upcoming battle between Holm and Germaine, and will see how the division stacks up from here on out:

“Listen, Holly and Germaine will be a good fight,” White said. “It’s a good fight. I don’t know, I’ve got to see – the wheels are already in motion, so I’ve just got to see how this thing plays out and go from there.”

“That was never the plan, to do (women’s featherweight) either, but now we’re in,” White said. “We’ll see how that one goes, who knows, maybe one of these two will win the belt and we’ll find a contender. I don’t know, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”

What do you think will be the repercussions of ‘Cyborg’ most likely not being able to compete in the UFC’s new featherweight division? Will the division be able to survive?

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