Knapp implied that the fact that “Cyborg’s” long-time rival Ronda Rousey lost to Holly Holm last month and is now expected to rematch her in 2016 was an important factor in the Brazilian’s decision to remain at 145lbs.
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SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt recounted some of the other comments Rousey made in the interview, noting that she mentioned being hit by a punch from Holm just 30 seconds into the fight and as a result, never felt the same afterwards.
She also admitted, “It might be three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact”. Holm has come out and said Rousey deserves it and she is open to it, UFC president Dana White has said it’s a go, and now Rousey has chimed in on the matter. I had that huge cut in my mouth and I just spit [the blood] out at my feet.
Rousey claims that she was not herself and was embarrassed by the loss. “That’s still a fight I’d like to see, whether it’s Ronda or Holly or whoever it is”.
“I need to come back”, 135-pound fighter confesses to ESPN. “I did not think she was in the right place, and I couldn’t pretend any longer that I thought she was”.
She added, “Who knows if I’m going to pop my teeth out or break my jaw or rip my lip open again. I wasn’t even (expletive) there”.
Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino’s plan to begin cutting weight in anticipation of a potential mega-fight with Rousey is at least on hold. Many, including Rousey’s own mother, questioned her coach, Glendale Fighting Club’s Edmond Tarverdyan, and even called him a “terrible” instructor who’s a “bad person”.
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On Inside MMA on Friday, Knapp said Cyborg would be defending her 145-pound belt at Invicta 15. After saying a cut to 135 pounds could be seriously damaging to her health, she started planning fights at 140 pounds but always cancelled them due to injury.
