Cris (photo) had his first UFC fight in Curitiba. Photo: Buda Mendes/UFC
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Chris Cyborg was very clear to summarize his situation in the UFC: either the organization creates a women's featherweight category (66 kg) or it will only fight at catchweight. Her debut, made at UFC 198 against Leslie Smith, in May, was already in the proposed condition, which will be repeated the next time the Brazilian takes action in the UFC Brasilia, in September (24), against Lina Lansberg. Asked if there are any chances of breaking the bantamweight category limit (61 kg), she was direct: “No, just my division and super fights. I'm not going to say 'impossible', but I always go to my limit”, she told the website MMAJunkie (USA).
“There was the opportunity to fight at UFC 198, in Curitiba. 63 kg was difficult for me. My weight is already difficult, I usually weigh around 77 kilos, but I thought nothing is impossible and I thought it was so special because it was in Curitiba, my hometown in Brazil, that I wanted to try to do my best. (…) I'm working with my team, doing my best, but my health comes first. Regardless, I want to be there and have good fights – not just climb into the Octagon. I want to fight like Chris Cyborg, I don’t want to go there and be a mummy”, he said in reference to the sacrificial weight cut.
Cyborg, however, recognizes that it is difficult for Ultimate to find opponents who will accept to face her. According to her, in addition to the difficulty in finding athletes in the weight range, the lack of motivation is another determining factor. “I don't think it's the UFC that doesn't want this, I think it's the athlete. You can't force athletes to challenge themselves. You need to take on the challenges for yourself. I do this. So I think it's up to the athlete. I don't see things as winning or losing, I think it's about being in a big fight, and people see me as a girl who wants to be in big fights. I don’t think you can put that into someone’s heart.”
Cris also guarantees that although the duels are rare, she would like to face names like Holly holm, Miesha Tate e Ronda Rousey, but the UFC is having trouble putting on such fights. While the superfights don't take place, Cyborg is preparing to face Lina Lansberg in the main fight of the UFC Brasilia, September 24th. It will be the second time that the Brazilian will fight for the UFC – she knocked out Leslie Smith in the first round at UFC 198.
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