Through the past days, it seemed that Ronda Rousey was already set to fight Miesha Tate this December. Rousey and Tate know each other pretty well as they have faced off twice already. On both occasions, Rousey came out the winner.
There is one thing that makes Tate a formidable opponent and that is she holds the distinction of being the only opponent to last longer than the first round against the reigning UFC Women’s bantamweight champion.
However, there was also another name being considered – Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino.
Justino is currently the Invicta FC 145-pound champion and a face-off with Rousey is something many fans will surely love to watch. However, the main issue of making that fight is the weight. She currently weighs 144.6 pounds and such becomes an issue since the target catch weight is 135. Hence, to make the fight happen, Cyborg will have to trim down to the set catch weight to make the mega fight happen.
The latest word however from ESPN reveals that Justino is determined to face Rousey. And if that means cutting down her weight, she will do it.
According to her manager, George Prajin, he and the UFC officials have been having multiple discussions regarding a Rousey vs. Justino tiff set for December 5, 2015 that will be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Prajin’s revelation somehow serves as justification on what Justino’s former manager and wrestling coach Tito Ortiz said last August 8. Ortiz said at that time that the UFC had officially offered the fight to Justino.
"I've heard from Cris [Justino] actually that the fight that's supposed to be happening at the Cowboy's arena. They offered the fight to Cris," says Ortiz via Inside MMA
However, UFC president Dana White quickly shot down the claims via Yahoo Sports.
"That was a complete lie," White told Yahoo Sports. "It's 100 percent a lie. First of all, the UFC doesn't even talk to Tito Ortiz, so let's start there. But we haven't offered any fight to [Justino]. Tito Ortiz is just making this [expletive] up. In no way, shape or form did we offer her a fight against Ronda at Cowboys Stadium. Completely untrue."
Assuming that it will be Rousey vs. Justino on December 5, the main issue is still the weight. Justino was a bit apprehensive on how to go about trimming down to the desired 135 lbs weight.
However, Prajin says via ESPN that he believes that with the addition of a new nutritionist, George Lockhart, reaching the set catch weight is achievable now.
Thus far, the UFC has not issued a statement regarding the matter though it is a development that many would love to see. Are you looking forward to seeing this matchup? Share your thoughts.