Cris “Cyborg” Justino is happy that the UFC finally created a featherweight division for women as she’s wanted for years, but she’s upset with them for not giving her the first crack at the title.
News emerged on Tuesday that the UFC will hold its inaugural women’s featherweight title fight on Feb. 11 at UFC 208 in Brooklyn. The two women to fight will be Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.
Holm defeated Ronda Rousey to become the 135-pound champion, but she has lost two fights in a row since. De Randamie is 6-3.
Cyborg, meanwhile, is 17-1 and has been a featherweight champion in other promotions for years. News of the first title fight happening without her led her to tweet the following:
Just 2 months ago there was no girls at 145 to fight. Now they have a girl who's 0-2 fighting for the belt just to disrespect me.
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
The worst part is I fought for the division. I didn't turn down I title fight I asked for a march date. 10 years no division and no respect
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
Cyborg had a particularly tough time cutting weight for her most recent UFC fight, which took place in September. That’s why she was asking to have until March before she fought again.
It’s understandable why she would be fuming about the UFC finally creating a division she’s been begging for but not making her part of the first title fight.
