Dana White: 'Cyborg' Justino 'smart' for wanting 'red panty night' fight with Ronda Rousey

Everybody still wants to see it, but even years later the tremendous lack of progress toward a Ronda Rousey vs. Cristiane Justino superfight has cast significant doubt about whether the matchup between MMA’s most notable female fighters will ever happen.

“Cyborg” (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) clearly feels it’s never going to come to fruition, which is why she routinely taunts “Rowdy” in interviews and on social media. UFC President Dana White, and apparently Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) as well, see it differently, though, and are apparently certain the long-awaited grudge match will eventually materialize.

Rousey, the former UFC champ who hasn’t competed since losing the UFC women’s bantamweight strap in a highlight-reel knockout to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November, will finally return to the octagon at UFC 207 in December when she challenges current champ Amanda Nunes (13-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in what will be her first fight in more than 13 months.

White told “UFC Tonight” on FS1 that all of Rousey’s focus is pinpointed at Nunes, but if she can regain her place atop the division and claim the UFC crown once more, the door will be wide open for the showdown with Justino.

“First of all, Ronda has got to come back, and Ronda’s got to win, win the title,” White said. “Then I don’t know if she’s going to want to defend it or what she’s going to want to do, but she’s told me she will fight ‘Cyborg.’ As long as I’ve ever known Ronda and talked to her, she was always willing to fight ‘Cyborg.’ Always. There was never any doubt in my mind that Ronda would eventually fight ‘Cyborg.'”

The most significant roadblock that has and will continue to stand in the way of bringing together a Rousey vs. Justino fight is weight. Justino, the current Invicta FC featherweight champ, has spent the majority of her career fighting at 145 pounds. Rousey, on the other hand, has fought at featherweight before, but nearly all of her career success has come in the bantamweight division – and she has always insisted “Cyborg” come down to her weight class.

Through Justino’s two UFC fights, which took place at catch weights of 140 pounds, it’s become obvious the Brazilian is unable to cut down to 135 pounds. With Rousey being free of the UFC title, though, it seemed possible she might finally be willing to move up and accommodate a better weight for everyone.

Not so fast, though, because if Rousey wins back the title at UFC 207, then all bets are off. She would have the leverage back and it would be impossible to gauge the necessary circumstances to finally book the bout. “Cyborg” continues to do whatever possible on her end to keep the potential fight in the public eye, though, a move which White told FS1’s “Jay & Dan” that he applauds from a business perspective.

“First of all, ‘Cyborg’ weighs 145 pounds, Ronda weighs 135 pounds,” White said. “She’s smart, this is the money fight. This is what Conor (McGregor) calls ‘red panty night.’ When you get the fights with Conor and Ronda, ‘Break out the red panties, honey.’ But yeah it’s a big fight. Amanda Nunes, she’s the champ, she’s holding the belt that Ronda held. Ronda wants her title back. It made all the sense in the world.”

For more on UFC 207, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.