Cyborg blames UFC for lack of female featherweight fighters

C. Cyborg fights at UFC 214 (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/criscyborg)

The Brazilian Chris Cyborg will fight for the vacant women's featherweight belt at UFC 214 on July 29, but she doesn't know who her next opponent will be if she wins over Tonya Evinger, the Invicta bantamweight champion. This is because, officially, Ultimate does not have any other fighter from the division on its roster – the Australian Megan anderson was going to face Cris, but had to leave the fight due to personal problems and it is not known when she will return. And, according to the Brazilian, the confusion surrounding the category is the UFC's fault too.

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For Cyborg, who was already the Strikeforce and Invicta champion in the category, the UFC took a long time to open the new division, causing the main names to choose to sign with Ultimate's rival, Bellator.

PUBLICITY:

“The fact that the UFC took so long to open this new division meant that many girls went to Bellator. So, currently, the main names in women's featherweight are there. But some top athletes are at Invicta, so I think we can work. Megan anderson would come from Invicta to face me, but due to a visa problem and her irresponsibility, she had to leave the fight”, commented Cyborg, in statements reproduced by the North American website.

In the meantime, however, she needs to face Evinger, who will make his UFC debut fighting for the title of the weight class above which he is accustomed. Cyborg says he respects his opponent for having the courage to reach Ultimate in these conditions.

PUBLICITY:

“Tonya accepted the fight a month in advance, saved the event and gave me the opportunity to fight for the title. She comes from bantamweight, but I honestly think she's top-10 there, she just hasn't had the chance to test herself in the UFC. And she is brave. I respect her for fighting me with little preparation time and this will give her the opportunity to showcase her work on a wider platform,” she explained.