Tag: Leslie Smith

Dana White Reveals No One Would Fight Cyborg Except Leslie Smith

The MMA world was dealt a bit of exciting news yesterday (Mach 28, 2016) when it was unveiled that Invicta FC champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino would finally make her UFC debut against Leslie Smith at May 14’s packed UFC 198 card from Curitiba, Brazil. It was exciting to see Cyborg making her way to the

The post Dana White Reveals No One Would Fight Cyborg Except Leslie Smith appeared first on LowKick MMA.

The MMA world was dealt a bit of exciting news yesterday (Mach 28, 2016) when it was unveiled that Invicta FC champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino would finally make her UFC debut against Leslie Smith at May 14’s packed UFC 198 card from Curitiba, Brazil.

It was exciting to see Cyborg making her way to the Octagon after years of unfulfilled hype centered around her rumored bout against former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, yet the MMA community couldn’t help but ponder if the UFC was setting Smith, who has fought at flyweight as recently as late 2013, for a squash match against the hulking ‘Cyborg,’ who cuts a significant amount of weight to make 145.

One fan voiced that concern to UFC President Dana White on Twitter, asking him if he was simply setting ‘Cyborg’ up for an easy win as he supposedly did with Conor McGregor and Sage Northcutt recently, which obviously backfired.

White’s response was that Smith was the only one willing to fight Justino, so she deserved respect:

It’s no surprise to see White defend the UFC’s decision, yet it’s also not all that difficult to see a realistic scenario where no other female fighter wants to face the dominant champion on short notice in her home country, as well. ‘Cyborg’ hasn’t lost a MMA fight since her debut way back in 2005, and she is regarded as the most powerful and brutalizing female in the sport today for good reason.

But we’ve seen many ‘sure things’ get destroyed in recent months, and the UFC’s current list of champions definitely reflects that. That doesn’t mean that Smith is going to pull off a monumental upset, but from the sound of things, she’s the only one willing to try.

The post Dana White Reveals No One Would Fight Cyborg Except Leslie Smith appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Cris Cyborg Will Still Be Invicta FC Champion While Competing At UFC 198

Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp isn’t closing the door on Cris “Cyborg” Justino competing again for her all-female promotion.

While it was announced on Monday that Justino (15-1) will make her Octagon debut at UFC 198 vs. Leslie Smith, Knapp told…

cris-cyborg-santos-new

Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp isn’t closing the door on Cris “Cyborg” Justino competing again for her all-female promotion.

While it was announced on Monday that Justino (15-1) will make her Octagon debut at UFC 198 vs. Leslie Smith, Knapp told MMAFighting.com that she is not considering vacating her featherweight title at the moment.

Justino won the title in 2013 with a fourth round TKO vs. Marloes Coenen and has successfully defended it three times since. All three bout have ended inside of the first round.

“Anything is always up to (the UFC and Justino), so it could be whatever,” Knapp said. “I think this is probably a situation, too, where they’re trying it out. Who knows? I am not quite sure what the long-term plan is or if anybody does at this point.

“Cris has expressed interest in coming back and defending her belt. At this point, it is not vacated.”

Justino and Smith will be competing at 140 pounds in May. Zuffa, which owns and operates the UFC, added Invicta FC to Fight Pass last year.

Leslie Smith On Fighting Cris Cyborg: “Biggest Non-Title UFC Fight For Women Ever”

Leslie Smith isn’t just planning on showing up at UFC 198 and cashing a check when she meets Cris “Cyborg” Justino.

Smith, a veteran of the sport and coming off a win over Rin Nakai, sees the chance to face Justino in her Octagon debut as the “bigge…

leslie-smith-ear-current

Leslie Smith isn’t just planning on showing up at UFC 198 and cashing a check when she meets Cris “Cyborg” Justino.

Smith, a veteran of the sport and coming off a win over Rin Nakai, sees the chance to face Justino in her Octagon debut as the “biggest opportunity of my career.”

Cris Cyborg Actually Coming to the UFC, Faces Leslie Smith at UFC 198


(Finally, the superfight that UFC fans have been demanding for years is coming together.)

Like XYIENCE energy drinks and the music of Stemm, the idea of seeing Cris Cyborg fight in the UFC has been long abandoned by the majority of MMA fans. It seemed like a very real possibility a few years back, but then Tito Ortiz went and messed everything up like the blockhead that we know him to be. Between Cyborg’s failed attempts to make 135 pounds and Ronda Rousey‘s fall from grace in the time since, the former Strikeforce featherweight champion (and current Invicta champion) has found herself with a lower stock value than possibly ever before.

But now, it seems that all is about to change for one of the sport’s scariest competitors.

The post Cris Cyborg Actually Coming to the UFC, Faces Leslie Smith at UFC 198 appeared first on Cagepotato.


(Finally, the superfight that UFC fans have been demanding for years is coming together.)

Like XYIENCE energy drinks and the music of Stemm, the idea of seeing Cris Cyborg fight in the UFC has been long abandoned by the majority of MMA fans. It seemed like a very real possibility a few years back, but then Tito Ortiz went and messed everything up like the blockhead that we know him to be. Between Cyborg’s failed attempts to make 135 pounds and Ronda Rousey‘s fall from grace in the time since, the former Strikeforce featherweight champion (and current Invicta champion) has found herself with a lower stock value than possibly ever before.

But now, it seems that all is about to change for one of the sport’s scariest competitors.

This morning, UFC officials confirmed that Ms. Justino has finally booked her debut fight:

One of the most feared fighters in the world is finally making her way to the Octagon, as Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino faces Leslie Smith at UFC 198 on May 14.

The bout, which takes place at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, will be held at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

This is, obviously, a rather historic moment for both women’s MMA and the UFC. In booking its first-ever women’s catchweight bout, the UFC might just be stating its intention to eventually establish some higher female weight classes down the line. Now that the allure of not only Ronda Rousey, but the person to beat her has been shattered, we may very well see the UFC start branching out its female divisions in order to find the next “unstoppable” champion to promote to mainstream audiences.

There’s no doubt that Cyborg could be that person, in any case. She may not be “undefeated” (having dropped her very first professional fight back in 2005) or ever wind up on the cover of SI’s swimsuit edition (then again…), but Justino did kick off 2016 by defending her Invicta title for the third time in a fashion that should serve as a terrifying reminder of her capabilities. Against the 8-6-1 Smith, she will also likely have another highlight reel finish on her hands to carry into a fight with whoever emerges from this Rouse-Tate-Holm car wreck.

That’s if she actually can make 135 pounds, of course, which we’re not entirely convinced she can.

UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic goes down on May 14, 2016 at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

The post Cris Cyborg Actually Coming to the UFC, Faces Leslie Smith at UFC 198 appeared first on Cagepotato.

Cris Cyborg Meets Leslie Smith At UFC 198: Werdum Vs. Miocic

Cris “Cyborg” Justino’s Octagon debut is now set, as the reigning Invicta FC champion meets Leslie Smith at UFC 198.

The bout will be part of the May event from Brazil that features a headline bout between Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic for the he…

cristiane-cyborg-justino-3

Cris “Cyborg” Justino’s Octagon debut is now set, as the reigning Invicta FC champion meets Leslie Smith at UFC 198.

The bout will be part of the May event from Brazil that features a headline bout between Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. It will be contested at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

Justino (15-1) has been pushing hard for a chance to compete in the UFC, but by being a featherweight, she was without a weight class. The former Strikeforce champion will be cutting weight for the contest.

Following the demise of Strikeforce when it was consumed under the Zuffa umbrella, Justino and her management firm – led by Tito Ortiz – went to work on a contract with the UFC. When they were unable to reach an agreement, the Brazilian opted to sign with Invicta FC. Recently, the UFC added Invicta FC to UFC Fight Pass, allowing Justino to shine on the all-digital network.

All nine of her most recent victories have been finishes, including wins over Gina Carano, Marloes Coenen and Charmaine Tweet.

Smith (8-6-1) evened her Octagon mark to 2-2 with a recent victory over Rin Nakai. The 33-year-old former Invicta FC fighter also finished Jessamyn Duke

Along with those two bouts, Vitor Belfort meets Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Uriah Hall squares off with former UFC champion Anderson Silva and Corey Anderson battles Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The event is set for May 14 from inside the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

Cris Cyborg Meets Leslie Smith At UFC 198: Werdum Vs. Miocic

Cris “Cyborg” Justino’s Octagon debut is now set, as the reigning Invicta FC champion meets Leslie Smith at UFC 198.

The bout will be part of the May event from Brazil that features a headline bout between Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic for the he…

cristiane-cyborg-justino-3

Cris “Cyborg” Justino’s Octagon debut is now set, as the reigning Invicta FC champion meets Leslie Smith at UFC 198.

The bout will be part of the May event from Brazil that features a headline bout between Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. It will be contested at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

Justino (15-1) has been pushing hard for a chance to compete in the UFC, but by being a featherweight, she was without a weight class. The former Strikeforce champion will be cutting weight for the contest.

Following the demise of Strikeforce when it was consumed under the Zuffa umbrella, Justino and her management firm – led by Tito Ortiz – went to work on a contract with the UFC. When they were unable to reach an agreement, the Brazilian opted to sign with Invicta FC. Recently, the UFC added Invicta FC to UFC Fight Pass, allowing Justino to shine on the all-digital network.

All nine of her most recent victories have been finishes, including wins over Gina Carano, Marloes Coenen and Charmaine Tweet.

Smith (8-6-1) evened her Octagon mark to 2-2 with a recent victory over Rin Nakai. The 33-year-old former Invicta FC fighter also finished Jessamyn Duke

Along with those two bouts, Vitor Belfort meets Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Uriah Hall squares off with former UFC champion Anderson Silva and Corey Anderson battles Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The event is set for May 14 from inside the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.