Did Ronda Rousey fight Cyborg? This question has sparked intense debate among fans and MMA enthusiasts for years. Ronda Rousey, the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, and Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino, the Brazilian mixed martial artist, are two of the most iconic figures in women’s MMA. The potential matchup between these two has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, but did it ever actually happen? Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing matchup.
Ronda Rousey, known for her dominant reign in the UFC, captured the world’s attention with her knockout skills and relentless attitude. Her fight against Bethe Correia in 2015 marked the beginning of her rise to fame. On the other hand, Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino was already a force to be reckoned with in the MMA world, having won the Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship and becoming the first female to hold two world titles simultaneously.
The idea of a fight between Ronda Rousey and Cyborg has been a long-standing fan favorite, and many believed that it would be a dream matchup. However, despite the intense interest and speculation, the fight never materialized. The reasons behind the cancellation of this potential matchup are multifaceted.
One of the primary reasons for the cancellation was the weight class discrepancy. Ronda Rousey fought in the Bantamweight division, while Cyborg was competing in the Featherweight division. The UFC had previously implemented a policy that prohibited fighters from moving up or down in weight classes without a medical waiver. Since Rousey was not willing to move up to Featherweight and Cyborg was not willing to move down to Bantamweight, the fight was canceled.
Moreover, there were concerns regarding Cyborg’s testosterone levels. The UFC had strict policies regarding hormone therapy for transgender fighters, and Cyborg had been under scrutiny for her testosterone levels. Despite her efforts to comply with the UFC’s regulations, the organization decided to cancel the fight due to these concerns.
Despite the cancellation, the interest in a Ronda Rousey vs. Cyborg fight remained high. Many fans and MMA analysts believed that the fight would have been a historic and memorable event. The combination of Rousey’s knockout power and Cyborg’s cardio and striking ability would have made for an epic battle.
In conclusion, the question of whether Ronda Rousey fought Cyborg remains unanswered. The potential matchup was canceled due to weight class discrepancies and concerns regarding Cyborg’s testosterone levels. While fans were eagerly anticipating this fight, it never came to fruition. However, the debate and speculation surrounding this matchup will continue to fuel discussions in the world of women’s MMA for years to come.
