It wasn’t too long ago that UFC President Dana White said that women would never compete in the UFC. Obviously he eventually changed his tune, and female fighters have since had the opportunity to become stars in the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. In fact, UFC Fight Night 95, which takes place this
It wasn’t too long ago that UFC President Dana White said that women would never compete in the UFC. Obviously he eventually changed his tune, and female fighters have since had the opportunity to become stars in the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. In fact, UFC Fight Night 95, which takes place this Saturday (September 24, 2016), is set to be headlined by Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino, who will take on Lina Lansberg in a catchweight bout.
Justino has long been a pioneer of women’s MMA, and she finally made her UFC debut last May, although the promotion doesn’t currently have a female featherweight division, and UFC President Dana White doesn’t plan on creating one in the near future either:
“Obviously it’s been very popular and the women have done very well, but as far as the expansion I think it’s inevitable as the sport continues to grow,” White told Combate. “But no plans in the near future, no.”
“As far as a heavier division, no I don’t see that happening,” White said. “I don’t see that happening any time soon, but the 115-pound division continues to get bigger.”
White did add that if the bantamweight and strawweight divisions continue to grow then a 125-pound division could be a possibility:
“If 15 and 35 continue to grow, then yes,” White said. “We can do a 125.”
Unfortunately for “Cyborg”, however, a featherweight division won’t be made “unless there’s anything that just explodes in the next couple of years,” according to White.
Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino has long been considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters in the world, although the UFC, the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, doesn’t currently own a women’s 145-pound division. The Brazilian slugger has attempted to make the drop down to bantamweight in the past,
Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino has long been considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters in the world, although the UFC, the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, doesn’t currently own a women’s 145-pound division. The Brazilian slugger has attempted to make the drop down to bantamweight in the past, although she is a massive 145 pounder.
Despite the circumstances, however, “Cyborg” recently made her UFC debut in her home of Brazil at last May’s UFC 198, taking on Leslie Smith in a 140-pound catch weight bout, but even making 140-pounds was a difficult task for Justino. In fact, a documentary following her road to UFC 198 will be debuting in August, and a clip from it was released earlier today (August 10, 2016) – and it’s safe to say that her weight cut is truly alarming.
Check out the footage below courtesy of Time Services that essentially shows “Cyborg” in tears during her brutal cut down to 140-pounds:
Justino ended up demolishing Smith in mere minutes, and she will return to the UFC Octagon, once again at 140-pounds, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 95 on September 24, 2016 against Lina Lansberg. Despite her success inside of the cage, is cutting down passed 145-pounds too much of a risk for the Invicta FC champion?
Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino will step into the UFC Octagon once again, just four months after defeating Leslie Smith in dominating fashion at UFC 198, but this time she’ll top the bill in her come country of Brazil at UFC Fight Night. According to FOX Sports, UFC has confirmed the 140-pound catchweight contest between the two […]
Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino will step into the UFC Octagon once again, just four months after defeating Leslie Smith in dominating fashion at UFC 198, but this time she’ll top the bill in her come country of Brazil at UFC Fight Night.
According to FOX Sports, UFC has confirmed the 140-pound catchweight contest between the two women, as UFC newcomer Lina Lansberg will take on ‘Cyborg’ who has not smelled the sour scent of defeat for over a decade.
Justino (16-1-1) is coming off a thunderous statement in her UFC debut in her hometown of Curitiba, Brazil, when she made quick work of UFC bantamweight veteran Leslie Smith in the first round of their contest at UFC 198 this past May.
‘Cyborg’ is one of the most feared women in mixed martial arts (MMA) history, as her ridiculous power and Chute Box Academy background has been the downfall of nearly all women she has engaged in combat with.
Lansberg (6-1) will make her UFC debut coming off a six-fight win streak, not having lost since her professional MMA debut in 2012 via third round TKO.
Since then ‘The Elbow Princess’ has been on a tear and looking absolutely flawless, holding four TKO finishes of her own en-route to her heavy duty UFC debut in September.
The 34-year-old Swedish product has quite the order on her hands heading into the big leagues of MMA, as she will take on arguably the most dominant female mixed martial artist of all time.
‘Cyborg’ and Lansberg will throw down in the main event of UFC Fight Night Brazil live on September 24, 2016.
Over the course of the sport’s short history, Thailand’s revered Muay Thai kickboxing has become one of the most common and successful bases from which to transfer to MMA. While we’ve learned that having skills in only one discipline is not a recipe for success in the modern version of MMA, many fighters with a focus on “the
Over the course of the sport’s short history, Thailand’s revered Muay Thai kickboxing has become one of the most common and successful bases from which to transfer to MMA.
While we’ve learned that having skills in only one discipline is not a recipe for success in the modern version of MMA, many fighters with a focus on “the art of eight limbs” have found incredible success in the Octagon.
Originating in Thailand, where a booming professional scene still flourishes, Muay Thai is now used by combatants from all over the world.
This piece aims to rank the ten best fighters employing the striking style today. Devastating clinch work, slashing elbows, whipping kicks, and crushing knees all could gain a fighter entry to this list, as well as a traditional Muay Thai background. Those that use them to the most damaging effect, rely on them as fundamental to their games, and utilize a combination of these characteristic techniques set themselves apart and climb the ranks.
This is not an all-time list. That may come later. This one looks at the fighters on the current UFC roster most likely to finish a fight from the thai plum, break someone’s nose with a standing elbow, or send an opponent crashing to the canvas with a knee to the solar plexus.
Continue for the list of the best Muay Thai kickboxers in the UFC.
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm is slated to meet No. 9-ranked Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of July 23’s UFC on FOX 20 from Chicago. This will be Holm’s first performance since surrendering her title in a submission loss to Miesha Tate last March. “The Preacher’s Daughter” was hoping to receive an
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm is slated to meet No. 9-ranked Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of July 23’s UFC on FOX 20 from Chicago.
This will be Holm’s first performance since surrendering her title in a submission loss to Miesha Tate last March. “The Preacher’s Daughter” was hoping to receive an immediate rematch with Tate, but “Cupcake” will instead face off with Amanda Nunes at July 9’s UFC 200.
Many were surprised when Holm was booked against Shevchenko, and it appears as if she was actually offered another high profile fight: a catch weight bout with Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
Justino recently destroyed Leslie Smith at UFC 198 in her Octagon debut, but a bout between herself and Holm would’ve been massive.
Recently speaking on the matter, Holm admitted that she turned down the bout with “Cyborg” simply because she was hoping to land the rematch with Tate. The former champion also very clearly stated that she’d be willing to fight Justino at any weight:
“I’m not even stuck on the 135 compared to 140, that’s not really a big thing for me. They did call me for the fight, that is definitely true. I was so focused and I really wanted to see if I was going to get that rematch for the belt because that is where my passion was really facing. And that was around the time they asked me for the fight with Cyborg and I was holding out to see if I could get the rematch. To me, I am not against fighting Cyborg, it just didn’t really seem like the right time. In boxing, I fought in three weight classes, so I am not opposed to fighting at 140. I actually think Cyborg might make 135, who knows. But that could be an option for the future. I am actually very happy for her victory. I really like Cyborg, I think she’s a great gal.” Holm told 120 Sports.
Would you like to see “The Preacher’s Daughter” do battle with the Brazilian slugger in the future?
Cris Cyborg has finally debuted in the UFC. That much should be celebrated. The path forward; however, gets complicated for Cyborg, the UFC, and women’s MMA in general.
Cyborg has long been hailed as one of the greatest women fighters ever, and her dominance certainly establishes her as a leading figure in the sport. Before Holly Holm’s headkick, a Cyborg-Rousey bout would have been the fight of the century.
The biggest roadblock to that fight happening was Cyborg’s size. She drops down to 145 for her Invicta FC bouts, but she is said to walk around at 170. Cutting to 135 might not have been possible or safe for Cyborg to do, and because Rousey was the MMA queen she was dictating terms and did not want to move up in weight.
Fighting at the 140 catch weight at UFC 198 was probably a trial run of sorts to see if she could get down to 135. Cyborg was terrific, looked healthy (during the fight, weigh-ins not so much) and still retained her striking power and accuracy. After the fight she mentioned she felt a little quicker, which is a terrifying prospect. But she didn’t mention going down to 135 but instead expressed a desire to defend her Invicta FC title and fight at catch weights.
And here’s where things get sticky.
First, the UFC has no 145 lb women’s division. Creating one would not solve any of the problems Cyborg faces with Invicta. She simply has no one of her caliber to fight. Adding a division and signing fighters would just move the issue from one promotion to the other.
In the long run though, adding a division would encourage women to fight at 145, and possibly cultivate more talent. But, potential talent will not help Cyborg legitimize her abilities in the present.
Second, superfights make money and sell tickets, but do not provide sustainable growth to women’s MMA, which Cyborg (and the UFC presumably) want. Holly Holm fueled women’s MMA (and Rousey before her) because her victory was legitimate (she won a belt), and because she is still fighting in that same division as the current/now former champion. Holm’s fight was not a one off.
If Cyborg continues to purse catch weight superfights, like her recent calling out of Rousey, the lack of a UFC title will undermine the long term growth that could happen. But the UFC would be interested in the short game revenue that would be generated.
The best way forward, it would seem, for the UFC and women’s MMA, would be for Cyborg to join the other female Bantamweights.
However, Cyborg seems uninterested in moving to 135, and there are the aforementioned health concerns. She simply wants to continue defending her Invicta strap and pursue superfights.
So what should the UFC do with Cyborg? Should she be persuaded to go down to 135? Be given her own UFC weight class? Or just let the superfights roll?
Cris Cyborg has finally debuted in the UFC. That much should be celebrated. The path forward; however, gets complicated for Cyborg, the UFC, and women’s MMA in general.
Cyborg has long been hailed as one of the greatest women fighters ever, and her dominance certainly establishes her as a leading figure in the sport. Before Holly Holm’s headkick, a Cyborg-Rousey bout would have been the fight of the century.
The biggest roadblock to that fight happening was Cyborg’s size. She drops down to 145 for her Invicta FC bouts, but she is said to walk around at 170. Cutting to 135 might not have been possible or safe for Cyborg to do, and because Rousey was the MMA queen she was dictating terms and did not want to move up in weight.
Fighting at the 140 catch weight at UFC 198 was probably a trial run of sorts to see if she could get down to 135. Cyborg was terrific, looked healthy (during the fight, weigh-ins not so much) and still retained her striking power and accuracy. After the fight she mentioned she felt a little quicker, which is a terrifying prospect. But she didn’t mention going down to 135 but instead expressed a desire to defend her Invicta FC title and fight at catch weights.
And here’s where things get sticky.
First, the UFC has no 145 lb women’s division. Creating one would not solve any of the problems Cyborg faces with Invicta. She simply has no one of her caliber to fight. Adding a division and signing fighters would just move the issue from one promotion to the other.
In the long run though, adding a division would encourage women to fight at 145, and possibly cultivate more talent. But, potential talent will not help Cyborg legitimize her abilities in the present.
Second, superfights make money and sell tickets, but do not provide sustainable growth to women’s MMA, which Cyborg (and the UFC presumably) want. Holly Holm fueled women’s MMA (and Rousey before her) because her victory was legitimate (she won a belt), and because she is still fighting in that same division as the current/now former champion. Holm’s fight was not a one off.
If Cyborg continues to purse catch weight superfights, like her recent calling out of Rousey, the lack of a UFC title will undermine the long term growth that could happen. But the UFC would be interested in the short game revenue that would be generated.
The best way forward, it would seem, for the UFC and women’s MMA, would be for Cyborg to join the other female Bantamweights.
However, Cyborg seems uninterested in moving to 135, and there are the aforementioned health concerns. She simply wants to continue defending her Invicta strap and pursue superfights.
So what should the UFC do with Cyborg? Should she be persuaded to go down to 135? Be given her own UFC weight class? Or just let the superfights roll?
