'Cyborg' still stumping for Ronda Rousey fight: 'I watched her shadowbox, and the shadow won'

Invicta FC featherweight champion and UFC headliner Cristiane Justino today found an ally in FS1 host Jason Whitlock, who helped her stump for a fight with former UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey.

Two weeks after her thumping of Lina Lansberg (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 95, a fully hydrated and tanned Justino (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) showed up on FS1’s “Speak for Yourself” to goad Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) into a fight, presumably at 140 pounds (though she should be probably be fighting at 145 for the sake of her longterm health.

Whitlock played along for Justino’s latest rib of the ex-champ, a fortune cookie she sent to Rousey as the “Candyman”; say her name three times, and she’ll show up to fight.

In theory, she shouldn’t have to waste the postage. According to UFC President Dana White, who’s been Rousey’s de-facto spokesperson during her convalescence, the once-dominant titleholder “wants that fight,” and the promotion just needs to figure out at what weight it will be contested.

Justino and her camp have long pushed for a catchweight of 140 pounds while Rousey, who’s competed as heavy as 145 pounds, has pushed for 135.

Yet there are strong indications that Rousey, the No. 2 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, could be booked opposite current women’s bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes (13-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on Dec. 30 at UFC 207.

Cristiane Justino

The media and fans also haven’t heard anything lately from “Rowdy,” so it’s hard to say if White is just playing promoter.

A knee surgery could delay the former champ’s return to 2017, White has said.

So, per the usual, Justino is staying on the attack in the wake of another decisive victory. It’s a war of words that’s gone on for years now, and with Rousey in the shadows, the Invicta FC champ gets free reign.

“I watched her shadowbox, and the shadow won,” she said. “My last fight, I broke the nose of the girl in three places. And if I fight her, she’ll have to do surgery on her face after. I’m not kidding.”

Despite the drama surrounding her weight, and a declaration she will never again fight at 140 pounds, Justino declared after her victory that she will take superfights to please the fans.

It’s unquestionable that a fight with Rousey would fit that bill, to say nothing of its box-office appeal. But until its signed, it’s the same old saga.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.