Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino (12-1) is currently in negotiations with Zuffa, parent company of UFC, according to an exclusive report at ESPN.com.
UFC CEO Lorenzo Feritta told ESPN.com that negotiations with Cyborg’s team resumed earlier this month – with a potential showdown with UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey (10-) being the driving force behind the talks. Fertita told ESPN:
“We certainly have an interest in Cyborg fighting for us. We feel that down the road, there is a possibility of a big fight between her and Ronda, but there are still a lot of things that need to happen.”
The potential deal would keep Cyborg under the Invicta FC banner, but would allow her to fight Rousey inside the Octagon.
The main roadblock that needs to cleared is whether Justino can get down to 135 pounds, which has been a challenge for her in the past. Fertita continued:
“She needs to prove she can get down to 135 pounds before we would take the risk of making that fight happen. Obviously, if she came over and didn’t make the weight, it would be a disaster. I feel fairly positive if Cyborg can get to 135 pounds, we will be able to make that fight. [The Rousey fight] has to happen at 135 pounds.”
For more on this story, including quotes from Cyborg’s manager George Prajin, visit ESPN.com.
