'Cyborg' to make bantamweight debut

Cristiane 'Cyborg' Justino is targeting a fight with UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey Getty Images

Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane Justino, aka 'Cyborg', plans to make her bantamweight debut December 5 against a to-be-determined opponent.

The bout will likely headline Invicta FC 10, which will air on Fight Pass, the UFC's Internet subscription service. No venue has been announced for the event.

A 145-pound titleholder in multiple promotions, Justino (12-1) has been targeting a drop to the 135-pound division all year, with hopes of fighting UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in early 2015.

Justino, 29, has not fought a professional mixed martial arts contest this year but did compete for a Muay Thai title at 145 pounds in March. She lost via unanimous decision to Jorina Baars.

Previously, Justino had expressed doubt about whether she could make the 135-pound bantamweight limit. The Brazilian fighter changed her mind this year, however, and swore to make the weight three times - once to prove she could do it and then twice for two Rousey title fights.

UFC president Dana White has remained noncommittal on signing Justino, whom he tried to come to a multi-fight deal agreement with early last year.

Justino's last fight ended in a fourth-round TKO victory over Marloes Coenen at Invicta FC 6 in July 2013.

Justino and Rousey (10-0) have gone back and forth in the media for years. Justino has accused Rousey of ducking her in the cage. Rousey has criticised Justino as a cheater, referring to a failed drug test Justino submitted after a victory over Hiroko Yamanaka in December 2011.

In addition to the Justino fight, officials announced that the all-female promotion's next event, Invicta FC 9, will take place on November 1 at the RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa. A flyweight title bout between Barb Honchak (9-2) and Takayo Hashi (15-4-1) will headline the card.

More here:

'Cyborg' to make bantamweight debut

Related Posts

Comments are closed.