UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz was on UFC Tonight this week with hosts Kenny Florian and Karyn Bryant to talk about his new role as the manager of women’s MMA star Cris “Cyborg” Santos. Most of the conversation focused on whether or not Cyborg, the former Strikeforce 145 pound women’s champ could come down to 135 pounds to fight in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight class. Here’s what Tito had to say:
Well when I first signed her, she goes, “Tito I can’t cut down to 135. No possible way. I walk around right now around 172-3.” And for a woman to cut that much weigh and for Cyborg to be the champion as long as she has at her weight class, to cut down to a weight that seemed like a disadvantage for her to a weight that she’s not used to. Maybe let’s get her a couple warm up fights at 135.
Now, in the very beginning when they said, “We want you to cut down to 135. You got 2 months. Let’s do it!” I was like, “No! That’s too soon. I don’t want to hurt my fighter.” I mean, in her future as a champion, she is a champion – she still is a champion. Last year, she had a mix up with some substances that one of her trainers turned her on to. She said, “It was my complete choice. It was my bad decision.” And she was willing to make that claim. so I’m gonna stamp my name on her to show that she’ll never touch those things again.
If Mike Dolce can do it in the healthy way and a healthy manner and there’s a doctor can prove it and make it the right way – Let’s make it happen.
Ronda Rousey makes her UFC debut at UFC 157 against Liz Carmouche on Feb. 23 in Anaheim, California.