Ronda Rousey is the best women’s 135 pounder on the planet by several country miles. The same can be said for Cristiane Justino in the 145 pounds division. Of course, and especially on the heels of Rousey destroying Bethe Correia at UFC 190, the big discussion right now is whether or not we’ll see Rousey vs. Cyborg any time soon, if ever.
On Saturday’s Fight Companion podcast (for UFC Nashville), UFC analyst Joe Rogan engaged in discussion with co-hosts Brendan Schaub, Bryan Callen, and Eddie Bravo about the potential fight. Rogan raised several talking points, including the issue of Cyborg’s steroid use: (Via MMA Fighting)
“Let’s look at this rationally,” Rogan said on his podcast. “Let’s say we know for sure, because we don’t know anything for sure, but let’s say for sure Ronda is not juicing. Let’s say we also know for sure that Cyborg might be on something. That she might be on something to make 145 [pounds]. Then, are you OK with it? Are you OK with it if they both fight at 145 and one person is naturally bigger and might be on something?”
Rogan also added the potential double standard when it comes to attitude over steroid use and receiving TRT for women compared to men:
“This is my question: Do you have a different opinion about this with women than you do with men?” said Rogan. “Here’s a perfect example. Chris Weidman, a dominant champ just like Ronda, if he was going to fight Vitor Belfort and we knew that Vitor might be on TRT, I still wouldn’t have a problem with it. I don’t think Weidman would have a problem with it, either. I think Weidman would be like, ‘I’m still going to f**k this guy up.’ That’s the point, it’s a different fight. Vitor off the s**t or on the s**t.
“That’s the question. If [Cyborg’s] capable of doing something that’s not natural to stay at 145 or get up higher than 145 into the 170’s, then how do you feel about the fight? Then it becomes a different fight. What if Ronda loses and then Cyborg tests positive?”
And as far as which weight class the fight should be held in? Rogan believes it’s all on Cyborg to drop to 135:
“This idea that Ronda has to move up? She doesn’t,” said Rogan. “Why does she have to do anything? She’s the champ. This is not a matter of [Cyborg] not being able to [make 135 pounds], it’s a matter of her not taking any of the steps to attempt to do it. If you really want to do it you hire Mike Dolce and you put up a video of you making that weight. ‘Hey I’m weighing in. 135. See, I can do it. Ronda, let’s do this bitch. I want my title.’
For the record, Cyborg has a new nutritionist in George Lockhart, who is confident that Cyborg can absolutely make the cut to 135 by December.
Video of the entire conversation can be seen at the top of the page, beginning at the 1:23:14 mark.
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