Why did the fight between Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg never happen? Document shows behind the scenes of the negotiation

Ronda Rousey (photo) never faced Chris Cyborg in the career. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

A document shows that the former champion of UFC Ronda Rousey I wanted a special contract to face the Brazilian Chris Cyborg, one of the biggest rivals of his career. The fight, however, never took place, due to differences in weight and negotiation.

The document is a draft of a contract between Rousey and the UFC, dated October 1, 2012, when the former champion was still a Strikeforce athlete, an event that was purchased by Ultimate in 2011 and discontinued in 2013. The contract contains notes from the North American's businesspeople, who asked for better financial conditions and a specific clause for a possible fight against Cyborg.

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“It does not apply to any fight on pay-per-view, which must be negotiated separately. Fee + share of the fighter's pay-per-view revenue + any fight with Cyborg must be negotiated separately”, said the businessmen's note in the contract.

The document was released by the website “Bloody Elbow”, which obtained access to several documents from a case that the UFC is facing in the United States Court, regarding the amounts that the organization received and paid to fighters over the last few years.

Upon learning of the notes in the document revealed by “Bloody Elbow”, Cyborg poked her former rival and took the opportunity to also provoke Kayla harrison, its current rival, on social media.

“2012 and Ronda Rousey I had contracts with my name written on them. 2024 and Kayla harrison There are written contracts with my name written on them. An Era of dominance that sport may never see again”, wrote the Brazilian.

Ronda Rousey x Cris Cyborg

Rousey retired from MMA in 2016 after being knocked out by Amanda nunes at UFC 207. Since then, the American migrated to WWE, the renowned Pro-Wrestling league, and recently had a return to Ultimate, but which so far has not materialized.

Cyborg is still active at 38 years old. Undefeated in seven fights, the Paraná native was Bellator featherweight champion. With the sale of the organization to the PFL, Cyborg lives with the expectation of debuting in the new organization against Kayla harrison in 2024.