Cat Zingano and Cris Cyborg
Cat Zingano vs Cyborg in UFC?
Cat Zingano vs Cyborg in UFC?
Cat Zingano (9-1) has not fought since her 14-second loss to Ronda Rousey while challenging for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship in February of last year. This past Friday, on a new episode of Inside MMA, Zingano teased for her next fight which has not yet been announced by the UFC. While Zingano did not release information about the bout she said the fight will be “epic.”
“I’m not looking past this opponent – this is a very, very valid opponent, and it’s going to be an exciting fight,” Zingano told Ron Kruck on the show. “And I’m super stoked for what you guys get to see. I can’t be the one to break the news. But I’ll just tell you it’s going to be epic, and it’s going to be the beginning of the summer.”
Let’s breakdown the options for the number three ranked women’s bantamweight fighter. In order for the fight to be “epic” as Zingano described it has to be well… epic right?
A rematch with Rousey is a viable option as the first one did not go over well for Zingano. She surely wants to prove she can do better and with Rousey being on the shelf since her November title loss to Holly Holm, a return bout for both women would bring in views for the UFC.
A fight with former champion Holly Holm is a possibility but not really “epic.” After sitting out for more than a year and coming off a loss, Zingano will not likely receive a title shot, so a fight with current champion Miesha Tate is off the table.
Who is left?
Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
According to a recent report at MMAFighting.com: “The UFC is actively exploring the possibility of having Justino compete at UFC 198, sources close to the situation told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, who reported the news Wednesday on UFC Tonight.
Justino (15-1, 1 NC) is the reigning Invicta FC featherweight champion. She has campaigned heavily to compete at UFC 198 over recent weeks, and for good reason.
The event, slated for May 14, takes place at the behemoth 42,000-seat Atletico Paranaense soccer stadium and marks the UFC’s first venture into Justino’s hometown of Curitiba, Brazil.”
Rumors have been flying for years about Justino coming to the UFC. The problem has often been weight. Cyborg fights at 145 and the UFC currently does not have a division for women at that weight.
Maybe the UFC will introduce the new weight class and Zingano moves up to welcome Cyborg to the organization. Or maybe Justino finally finds a way to make the weight cut. There is always the possibility of a catchweight fight also.
Fans have been wanting to see Cyborg fight in the UFC for a long, long time. Will Cat Zingano vs Cyborg be the “epic” fight that gets the job done?
