Would new champ Holly Holm fight 'Cyborg'? 'In a heartbeat,' coach says

During Ronda Rousey’s lengthy title reign, she was often asked about a potential fight with Cristiane Justino. But what about new champ Holly Holm? Would she fight “Cyborg”?

The Rousey vs. “Cyborg” fight obviously never came to fruition. As the 135-pound champ, Rousey argued, she shouldn’t have to move up in weight to fight Justino, Invicta FC’s reigning 145-pound featherweight titleholder. Although initially saying she couldn’t get that light, “Cyborg” decided to give it a shot, and she’s even targeting a potential bout at 140 pounds as a sort of trial run.

But in the time since their rivalry really heated up, Rousey vs. Justino (14-1) has lost a bit of its luster. Earlier this month in UFC 193’s pay-per-view headliner, Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) suffered a second-round head-kick loss to Holly Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino

While Rousey is now an unlikely opponent for “Cyborg ” – at least in the near future – what about Holm?

“I’ll tell you what: Holly has never turned down a fight before in her life,” Holm’s coach, Mike Winkeljohn, recently told talkingbrawlsmma.com‘s Niall McGrath. “It won’t be on Holly’s terms if she turns down a fight, unless she retires. Holly will fight anybody, anywhere. She’s that tough, mentally. She believes in herself and what she can do.

“Cris ‘Cyborg’ is just incredible with her strength and with what she can so. I don’t know if she can make the weight at 135 pounds yet. She’s got a lot of holes in her game, a lot of craziness. That girl is so strong, so we’d have to be worried about it. But Holly would fight her in a heartbeat.”

While it’s certainly an intriguing possibility, it’s not likely to be next for Holm, who’s been on a whirlwind media tour since her stunning upset.

While UFC President Dana White and Holm have both suggested an immediate rematch with Rousey could be in store, other established UFC contenders such as Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes and Cat Zingano are also interested in a shot at the new champ, which could keep “Cyborg” at the back of the line.

For complete coverage of UFC 193, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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