Chris Weidman is a former UFC champion and is undoubtedly one of the best mixed martial artists in the world, and yet even he cowers in fear when Cristiane Cyborg Justino gives him the stink eye.

Yeah, she scares me a little bit, Weidman told The MMA Hour before going on to explain his role in one of the most infamous out-of-the-cage fights in UFC history.

The conflict in question went down at the UFCs Athlete Retreat in May when Justino confronted 115-pound strawweight Angela Magana. Magana, who has lost her last four fights, has stayed relevant by talking immense amounts of trash online, and shes had particularly brutal words to say about Justinos looks and steroid abuse. Justino tested positive for an anabolic steroid in 2011 and got flagged by USADA in 2016 but was ultimately granted a retroactive therapeutic exemption for the diuretic she was taking.

Justino, who walks around at nearly 180 pounds, said that things got heated at the retreat before she cold-cocked Magana in the face. A short time later, the cops arrived and Magana decided to press charges against Justino.

Video of the altercation doesnt show the punch itself, but it is clear that Cyborg was the aggressor.

Warning: Graphic language

However, the whole incident might have been averted had Weidman stood up to the hot-headed Justino. According to Weidman, he didnt know about the beef between Magana and Justino before he tried to separate the pair.

I came in like, Cmon, guys, lets calm it down, and as soon (as I did that), Cyborg just stops screaming at Magana, looks at me and says, Dont touch me, Weidman told The MMA Hour.

So I backed up and then within a second, (Cyborg) takes her hand and cracks Magana. Magana did a little shaky-leg thing and right away she got teary-eyed. At least from what I heard, right away she started to say, Im calling the cops.

Magana has defended her honor by saying that she didnt call the police, but Weidman doesnt care about his dignity quite as much.

The best part of it is, Dana White has the video. He showed me at this thing (we did), but I dont know if hes ever going to release it. It is hysterical the way I backtracked. They were busting my balls but I have no shame.

What am I going to do, step in there to Cyborg and say, No, I will touch you and she kicks my ass? What am I gonna do, kick her ass? Either way, Im screwed. What if she knocked me out? I may as well just retire then.

Weidman, who beat Anderson Silva to win the middleweight title in 2013, has lost his past three fights but is looking to get back on track against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night on Long Island on July 22.

Justino, meanwhile, is finally getting her shot at UFC gold when she takes on Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 214 on July 29.

Read the original here:

Even a former UFC champ is too scared to take on Cris Cyborg ... - New York Post