Cris Cyborg Joins UFC – Will Still Fight Ronda Rousey At 145lbs or 140lbs
Recently Elias Cepeda reported on FoxSports.com that the UFC has signed Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg.
It appears Dana White’s bosses have trumped his desire to protect Ronda Rousey. While Cepeda’s article (and others) have mentioned the contract terms stipulate Cris Cyborg must make the 135lb bantamweight limit, that does not mean Cyborg can only fight in the UFC (or Invicta FC/UFC co-promotion) at 135lbs.
I would like to see the agreement Cris Cyborg signed with the UFC. I realize there is a provision allowing her to compete at 135lbs if she chooses to eventually fight for the UFC women’s bantamweight title. However I am 100% certain there is no clause in that agreement that precludes Cris Cyborg from fighting Ronda Rousey (or any female opponent) at 145lbs or a catch weight of 140lbs with no belt on the line.
No UFC fighter has ever signed a contract with such draconian restrictions and I’m sure Cyborg’s contract does not limit her options. Such a contract would be voidable.
The 135lb wording only applies if Cris wants to fight for the UFC bantamweight belt. This is important because Cris has repeatedly said she does not care about Ronda Rousey’s 135lb belt. She just wants a fair fight at 145lbs or 140lbs, something the fans deserve as well.
This means Cris Cyborg and her team have brilliantly joined the UFC and can still negotiate and insist that her fight with Ronda Rousey be contested at 145lbs or 140lbs. The UFC 135lb belt be damned. Cris does not really care about Rousey’s belt.
The Cyborg vs. Rousey fight will happen at 145lbs or a catch weight of 140lbs. Dana White and Ronda Rousey don’t like this but UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta realize this is the best approach. Cris Cyborg now has the option of dropping to 135lbs to fight Ronda Rousey (or Bethe Correia should she defeat Rousey) for the UFC Bantamweight belt. Cris can also dismiss the 135lb belt and choose to pressure and challenge Rousey to a fair non-title fight at 145lbs or 140lbs.
Nothing has really changed except Cris Cyborg is now in the UFC and her negotiating power (already strong) has greatly increased. The onus is still on Ronda Rousey to stop ducking Cris Cyborg at 145lbs. Well played Cris Cyborg.