Cris Cyborg vs. Rousey closer than ever, and yet so far
Cris Cyborg weighed in at 175 Sunday morning, so far away from 135. Good news is, Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp says the fight is closer than ever before.
Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane Cyborg Justino made 135 on Thursday. Sunday morning she did a scale selfie, via Instagram.
That would seem to put a fight with Ronda Rousey out of reach, as “Rowdy” and the UFC have been adamant that the fight take place at 135.
Why would the champ go there? It just doesn’t make sense, said UFC president Dana White recently of a catchweight bout. She’s the 135-pound champion here; she’s dominant. The champ doesn’t chase other people. If you want to fight the champ, you go to the champ.
However, in a recent interview with MMAFighting, Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp says the fight is closer than it has ever been.
“I can’t really say that it will happen this year,” said Knapp. “But what I can tell you is the fans should not give up, because this fight is closer than it has ever been — ever. If it’s gonna happen, I think we’re gonna see it happen possibly by the end of this year or first quarter of next.”
There have been rumors that Cyborg’s current contract is with UFC parent company ZUFFA, and that she will continue to fight for Invicta and try to drop to bantamweight. White was asked directly over the weekend if that was true. He paused before replying.
Call Lorenzo on Monday, he said. Talk to him.