As Ronda Rousey prepares for her return to the UFC, her two fiercest rivals may be hatching plans of their own—and they've got nothing to do with the world-famous former champ.
Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino—widely regarded as the best female MMA fighter on the planet today—recently took to Twitter to bank the small fames of what could be a budding rivalry between herself and Miesha Tate.
Last week on The MMA Hour broadcast (h/t Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting), Tate expressed an openness to face Cyborg at a catchweight of 140 pounds. Tate competes at the UFC's 135-pound bantamweight division, while Cyborg competes at 145 pounds, where the UFC does not currently have a division.
"When I was the champ, they told me that they would not. ... do a catchweight, so either she has to meet you at 135 or you have to not be the champion," Tate said. "So now that I'm not the champion, I technically could fight her at 140. I wouldn't be against it. The thing is, I just feel like I have nothing to lose in that."
Early Monday morning, Cyborg tweeted a preference for a 145-pound fighter, but not before throwing some shade in Tate's direction.
Another week and another person saying "they would" fight me. I have girls at 145 that "will" fight me https://t.co/wS8e6STx42
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) October 24, 2016
A Cyborg-Tate bout would surely attract its share of attention. The 31-year-old Cyborg (17-1 [1]) hasn't lost a pro MMA fight since her debut in 2005 and has won her last seven contests—the last two of those under the UFC banner—by knockout. The brutal muay thai striker also is the reigning 145-pound champion in the all-female Invicta promotion.
Tate (18-6) has her own share of bona fides. She defeated Holly Holm in March to capture the UFC women's bantamweight title (Holm, of course, shocked Rousey in 2015 to win the belt from the long-time champ, who subsequently went into self-imposed semi-exile). However, in July, Tate lost the belt to Amanda Nunes in her next fight.
In a bout with Cyborg, Tate would likely find herself a substantial underdog. She would give up a great deal of size to Justino and does not appear to have the strength or striking chops to seriously threaten Cyborg.
UFC president Dana White recently said Ronda is willing to face Cyborg at catchweight—a big about-face from her previous insistence that Cyborg reach 135 pounds to face her. Cyborg and her camp have repeatedly stated that a cut to 135 would seriously jeopardize Cyborg's long-term health and ability to perform.
As Cyborg herself pointed out, Rousey has yet to assert this challenge directly.
Everyone saying @RondaRousey said she wants to fight me. Ne1 wonder y we haven't actually SEEN HER SAY IT? Say my name 3 times like candyman
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) September 28, 2016
Nunes is expected to defend her title against Rousey this December at UFC 207.
