In AMA Cris Cyborg reveals wit, wisdom, and a plan to beat Ronda Rousey
Cris Cyborg recently came on the UG for an AMA, that covered everything from favorite pizza to why she prefers to train with men to her strategy vs. Ronda Rousey.
Cris “Cyborg” Justino recently came on the UG for a wide-ranging AMA, that veered from wit to wisdom to whatever fighting is.
I am very happy to be here today. I love how MMA is a sport where we get to meet our fans.
What kept you out of the December Invitca card and when will you be Back in action?
I am recovering to the injury of my ankle and working with Ivan Carmosino on a specific physical therapy and sports rehabilitation program to heal the ligament damage that refused to heal do to the demands of training for the fight. As the fight date got closer a decision had to be made. I am hoping rehab will have me ready to fight as soon as possible.
Do you dislike Ronda on a personal level for all the trash talk about you or do you see it as hype in case of a future fight?
I think Rhonda has the type of personality where she needs the attention. I don’t have anything personal against her. I heard when she first started fighting mma she used to watch my fights, I’ve always been curious which fight was her favorite. My first fight was 2005, and I came to america with Elite XC in 2008. I am from a different time. Remember when Wanderlia Silva fought Mark Hunt in PRIDE? What weight was that fight? That is Chute Boxe. That is fighting because you love it. If she really wanted this fight it would have happened already. I find the interviews funny, my friends in Brazil and the USA always call me to see what I will say. The fight will happen or the fans of MMA will robbed of history.
Time has gone by alot since the first time you and Ronda wanted to fight.. Do u think the fight is losing steam and big pay day for everyone because of the ufc stalling and putting too many cards?
No. Everyone will watch this fight.
Do you plan to have more Muay Thai fights?
Yes. I really enjoyed Lion Fight and think it would be fun to compete in GLORY or K1. Food fight, water fight or muay thai fight it doesn’t matter.
What was the hardest MMA fight of your career?
Every fight is tough. but If you watch my 2nd fight against Vanessa Porto you will see how far I have come. I accepted this fight against a girl with a lot of fights and only had 6 months of training. I won it Chute Boxe by being tough. I don’t think you guys know what it was like being the only girl in that gym. I would ride my bike to train with that team of champions because the face stomps I landed in this fight just came natural.
What defensive/offensive options will you have if Rhonda clinches up?
Punch Her Face!
What weight do you normally walk around at and how much would you have to cut a month before fight?
Weight really changes a lot on me depending on my training cycle. I have an in season and out of season weight that I try to maintain. The less weight I have to lose in the sauna the better. I can get as big as 175, 180 during my off season.
Who’s your favorite fighter?
Now, Nobody. But my favorites are the old school guys like Ernesto Hoost, Fedor, Wanderlia. I’m Old I miss K1. I miss Sakuraba. I like Jose Aldo, but not like those old guys, those were fights you couldn’t miss.
Will you do Metamoris?
I like Compete. I make Bronze medal in 2009 ADCC, and I am a 2x Purple Belt World Champion in the Gi. Maybe me Vs. Renato Laranja.
Was there 1 or 2 fights scheduled with Ediane Gomes?
We were suppose to fight 2 times, the 2nd time the fight was scheduled the dr. said my concussion from my fight against Jorinas Baars.
What are your favourite pizza toppings?
I don’t like Pizza, but if I have to eat pizza its Portuguese Pizza–egg, tomato, onion, cheese,ham
you train with men, but do you ever have the desire to actually fight a man in the same weight class?
I train with guys because I notice the difference from training with the guys. Girls make training so personal. Maybe WWE against a guy?
First question should be 9am in what time zone?
PST…but if I’m late, Brazilian Time
Who is your favorite fighter of all time and why.
see above.
Carano vs Rousey. Was this amusing to you?
When I heard rumors of this fight, it made me feel like the game of MMA is changing. it’s political now.
If Ronda offered to fight you NHB on the beach Rickson what would you say?
I would tell her…CHUTE BOXE the mouthguard inside the purse
Hunter Thompson’s .45 – What do you consider your toughest challenge of your MMA career? What is your greatest challenge in life?
In the begining my toughest challenge was just training. In those old Chute Boxe gym they had so many real fighters. I had to prove I was not at the gym to find a boyfriend, I was there to fight. My greatest challenge in life right now is living in California away from my family. It is difficult missing my neice grow up, she calls me mother and when I am in Brazil she lives with me. I hope I can bring her from Brazil to the USA to provide a better future for her.
BJTT_Warriormmd– Cyborg vs Gabi in a BJJ match (such as METAMORIS). How do you think it will go?
Gabi is very tough. I am confident in my skills, and would work a good gameplan with my team at Atos. I would have to have a clever plan, she is probably 50lbs heavier than me and professional BJJ all the time.
Hunter Thompson’s .45 – Do you have any preflight rituals? Are you superstitious at all or do you simply rely on your skills?
Before the fight I stay in my warmup area and sing gospel music. Through him all things are possible and I am blessed.
rushinbear – simple question, how did you come to discover this site?
Everybody knows this website, even if they pretend they don’t. I had a fan ask me to come here and say hello though.
DisgracieJJ – Is Tito still involved with your career? If you don’t make 135 will you eventually go to Bellator or WSOF?
Tito is a good friend, but my career is mine.
I will sit with my team and decide which promotion has the best opportunities for me if the UFC is not interested, I am not worried about finding work, my fighting style sells tickets.
SteckTastic – What brought you to fighting?
I have always been an athlete. I was a professional handball player in Brazil and one of the male handball players had a father who trained at Chute Boxe and said I could be a great fighter if I wanted. He kept asking me if I like to fight and I said no, but he kept asking me to come to the gym, and eventually after 6 months I went to the gym, and the rest if WMMA History.
CRIS, WOULD YOU FIGHT FALLON FOX?
Someone has already shown the roadmap to beat her. If the commission gives her a license, I am nobody to say she can not.
Was Tito a good manager? Why/why not?
I met Tito in 2009 at Cleber BJJ. When I was dealing with a difficult time in my life, he was one of the few people to stand up for me and have my back. I appreciate his friendship and am all alone in the USA, he has become like family for me.. Tito Ortiz in 2014 has grown a lot from Tito Ortiz 1998, and he has a lot of things he can mentor to me.
What advice would you give to a young woman getting started as a MMA fighter today?
Make a bunch of photoshoots and spend more time on instagram and Facebook than training.
Simple question, why are you ducking Ronda?
How long you follow mma?
If it happens, how do you see you vs Rhonda fight transpiring?
Tough fight, I win.
Do you like the old universal monster movies(Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein, Creature from black lagoon, Mummy), and if you do which monster is your favorite?
I like Shrek.
Have you found a good lawyer in case you fight Ronda and she tries to hit you with attempted negligent homicide?
Ronda doesn’t have to worry, it’s the ref’s job to stop the fight for her safety.
What part of your training do you find the hardest and if you could improve one thing in your skill set, what would it be?
I don’t like to do pull-ups. I am always happy whenever I improve.
Are you able to train full-time at this point? It is a well-known fact that out of all people that fight MMA, most can’t make a good living off of one or two fights per year plus sponsorships but need a second job in order to have an income.
I didn’t get into fighting for the money. I remember riding my bike in Brazil to training. I am very blessed to have the opportunities I have already. Money is tough in the USA, but I am able to do seminars, public appearances, and have a couple of sponsors who really make it possible. www.CrisCyborg.com to find out how to book me for your event.
My family sacrifices a lot, my mom and brother have helped me while I try and pursue my dreams. Thug life. I do this because I love it.
In a recent interview with Tatme you said that in addition to your multiple ankle injuries that you also have a shoulder injury and that you had never had this many injuries before. If this is true then: is the cut to 135 still realistic?
All Athletes have injuries, and I just need to listen to my coaches and doctors.
Do you suck or swallow Sour patch kids?
…I Bite!
What kind of changes are you making in your training to drop your weight down, and what weight are you at currently?
I have changed my diet, and am now integrating different simulation to my body for cardio, bike, run, swim, etc. I am currently heavy because of the injury, which was the reason for delaying the fight.
what did you think of Gina Carano quitting MMA after one loss?
She didn’t stop fighting because of a loss. She stopped fighting because she had other opportunities. When she fought me they were worried I was going to leave a scar on her before filming her first movie. She is making the most of her opportunities.
You normally up this early?
Yes, I wake up at 5 and am at swimming by 6am with a professional triathlete coach.
Interested in your trip to Thailand, your thoughts on the training and overall experience of the Thailand culture?
My dream at the beginning of my career when I first started training Muay Thai was to travel to Thailand. After traveling to their country, I respect their national sport even more. I am planning a Womens Only Retreat for early 2015 at PhuketTopTeam.com and plan on making the trip to Thailand more.
How long until you are in the UFC?
This isn’t my choice. In the beginning if you won you moved up rankings and fought the best now it is more about fans, twitter, tv. I know I am the best female MMA fighter, and I want the best stage to show that. God will work his plan, I just have to focus on training and winning.
ASchlinky – Do you think anybody in the UFC will beat Ronda before you get the chance to fight her?
Maybe Cat Zingano. I think Cat Zingano fights because she loves to fight and in the game of MMA that is a dangerous person to fight.
Rushinbear – someone asked a question on your thoughts on PEDs…
I learned a valuable lesson with that life experience and just like any mistake in life, don’t want to make it again.
Steven McTowelie – Who else in the UFC would you most like to fight (other than RONDA)?
I don’t pick my opponents. I would like to fight whoever they pay me the most money to beat up.
Thank you everyone for the support. I need to start getting ready for my rehab session with Ivan Carmosino today.
I appreciate all the love the UG game me today, and will be back again, it is fun talking to fans.
Please follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Sqor
Also check out my website, CrisCyborg.com I have new Team Cyborg T-shirts, and if anyone is wanting to book me for a personal appearance, seminar, or to endorse a product, they can contact my team on my official website.
God Bless.