UFC READY | Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino is ready for her UFC debut in May (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
Former Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino (15-1) will be making her highly-anticipated UFC debut at UFC 198, against Leslie Smith (8-6-1), but already she's looking forward to a bout with former UFC women's bantamweight champion "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
"Since [Rousey] is no longer the champ, and I am officially in the UFC, I do not see any reason why the fight between us can't happen," Justino told celebrity gossip website TMZ.
"I realize Holly Holm kicked her into retirement, but maybe after [UFC 198] we could settle the feud in New York when the UFC comes to Madison Square Garden."
Justino, considered one of the most vicious women mixed martial artists in the world, sports a 15-1 record, losing only once in her career -- in her very first professional bout. Since then, she has strung together 15 straight victories, blazing a trail of destruction in her path.
In 2009, Justino destroyed previously unbeaten Strikeforce and Fast and Furious star Gina "Conviction" Carano. Carano never fought again.
When Rousey's popularity rose during her stint as UFC champion, hardcore MMA fans wanted Rousey tested against a very strong striker, and Justino fit the bill. However, at the time Justino was still with another promotion, she has since then made it into the UFC.
Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm last December in what turned out to be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the UFC. Holm knocked Rousey out with a head kick in round two of a five round title defense, and followed up with hammer fists on a downed Rousey to seal the deal.
"If Ronda is still retired, or has thought of a few more excuses to not fight me, then maybe Holly Holm or Miesha Tate are willing to fight. I want to make the biggest fights the fans want to see," said Justino.
Justino is currently in Los Angeles and was seen much of last week during morning runs with Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is preparing for an April 9 bout with Tim Bradley.
Newly crowned UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is being matched up with Rousey again, after Tate lifted the title from former champion Holm. Tate and Rousey had fought before, with Rousey winning both affairs by armbar.
If Justino can get past Leslie in her UFC debut, it sets up possible big money fights against Rousey, Tate or Holm.
"Leslie [Smith] is a very tough girl, most of her fights end by decision. I don't know if it will be a KO or submission, but I do know it will be worthy of a UFC performance bonus from Dana White," said Justino.
Cyborg makes her UFC debut in Curitiba, Brazil on May 14 at UFC 198. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight bout between UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and challenger Stipe Miocic.
