Marina Shafir on 'Cyborg,' Carano: 'Ronda will loosen the pickle jar and I'll get to open it'

Marina Shafir believes she can do for the women’s featherweight division what Ronda Rousey did for the bantamweight division. She just needs time to make it happen.

Shafir, who is Rousey’s friend, roommate and training partner, has seen the UFC champion flourish into one of the sport’s superstars in the span of a few years.

She is determined to follow that same path, but the hurdles are grand since the UFC doesn’t have a women’s 145-pound division. That fact could discourage “The Supernova from Moldova,” but she said it does not.

There was a point not long ago when the idea of 135- and 115-pound weight classes under the UFC banner would have been deemed laughable, she said.

“I’m pretty sure that 145 is going to be my division – I’m going to make it a very popular division,” Shafir told MMAjunkie Radio. “My goal is to hype it up just as much as 135 is right now. That’s one of my goals is to make it so intriguing to see how women compete in that division.

“People think that there’s only female fighters at 135 and below, and they’re wrong. There are actually a lot of very talented fighters at 145 and 155. People just don’t want to pay attention to that because 135 is the hot division right now in the UFC, and so are the 115ers. They’re all like these little boppers, but I have a feeling that as soon as the 145 division emerges, you’re going to see some really heavy hitters and people are going to start paying attention.”

Even though Shafir (1-0) dreams big, she has a lot of work to do before compiling a resume worthy of UFC status. She has just one professional contest to her name, but her sophomore bout goes down tonight when she meets Amanda Bell (1-2) at Chaos at the Casino 5 from Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, Calif.

The 26-year-old turned pro in April and doesn’t plan to rush her career. There have been many fighters who have jumped into deep waters too early, and a loss in that situation can be a detriment. Shafir isn’t worried about that, though, as long as she moves forward at a steady pace.

“We just wanted to do it smart and get enough experience under my belt to be able to have a very, very successful career as a professional 145er,” Shafir said. “You have to set goals throughout your life. I wouldn’t be in this sport if I didn’t have the goal of competing against the top contender at 145.”

Shafir’s fighting career is still in its infancy, but that hasn’t prevented her from eyeing marquee fights. Her long-term goal is to eventually see the UFC add a women’s featherweight division, where she’ll rule all comers.

While Rousey is currently linked to big-name fights with the likes of Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino and Gina Carano, both women have competed at 145 pounds for the majority of their careers. Shafir is happy to see her friend connected to such significant matchups, but she would by lying if she didn’t selfishly want the big fights for herself, as well.

“I’m getting to the point in my career where I’m just whoever, whenever,” Shafir said. “I need experience, but as I’m racking up my experience and they’re making their decision about fighting, I’ll be ready. Maybe Ronda will loosen the pickle jar and I’ll get to open it a little bit.”

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.