Shafir: I believe I will beat Cyborg ‘eventually’
Marina Shafir: “I have to make people really believe. Because I know I believe I will eventually have that fight and I believe I will beat [Cris Cyborg].”
Earlier this week it was announced that training partner of Ronda Rousey, Marina Shafir had signed to Invicta FC. Shafir is a 1-1 professional women’s featherweight, and her ultimate goal in Invicta is to build her way to a title fight and eventually beat champion ‘Cris’ Cyborg.
“I have to earn that fight,” Shafir told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “I get that. I know if I ask for it, she would take it in a heartbeat. But I have to work up towards that fight. I have to make people really believe. Because I know I believe I will eventually have that fight and I believe I will beat her. But I have to make everyone else believe that. That’s just part of the journey.”
Of course Cyborg and Rousey has a long history of back and forth in the media, but fight in different weight divisions. Should Shafir win the fights necessary to get into title contention and fight Cyborg, the result could have a meaningful impact on the chances of Rosuey fighting Cyborg. A win for Cyborg could definitely motivate Rousey to fight her regardless of weight class, a win for Shafir might shut down the idea once and for all.
