The UFC women’s featherweight division hasn’t quite really been established despite it having a champion who has won and defended the title. The UFC has yet to establish rankings for the division, but regardless the champion Cris Cyborg has proven herself to be a draw and will likely continue to defend her title with or without an actual division in the promotion.

Cyborg’s next title defense will come this weekend against Invicta champion Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222. Cyborg has long been one of the most feared woman in all of mixed martial arts, but Kunitskaya does not seem to be intimated heading into their main event showdown:

I know that she’s strong, but I don’t think she has that strong of knockout power, Kunitskaya said. She has no clean knockouts where girls go down, like Holly (Holm) have. But yes, she’s very tough. She finishes all the fights by technical knockout. I think I’m strong, too, strong enough to compare with her.

For Kunitskaya, UFC 222 represents a no-lose situation. She’s already expected to be bludgeoned by the Brazilian champion but looks forward to producing a historic upset. Kunitskaya said she relishes the chance to become the first female UFC champion from Russia, but even more than that, she can’t wait to shock the world.

It’s amazing to be a UFC champion, and it’s a lot of things, Kunitskaya said. First time (in the octagon), first Russian girl to be fighting for a belt, and first genuine Russian who won the title. But for me, it’s more important that I can win against Cris Cyborg. It’s more exciting.

source: mmajunkie.com