If we asked you two weeks ago, to name the biggest women’s MMA fight you could imagine, the answer would have been Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg. The ultra-popular female MMA superstar versus the best female fighter outside of the UFC. But after Rousey got knocked out by Holly Holm at UFC 193, that fight is off the table, at least for now. Despite a rematch between Holm and Rousey being very likely for next year, many wonder how a fight between Holm and Cyborg would play out.
We could find out someway down the road, at least if Cyborg manages to make the 135-pound limit, says Holm’s coach Mike Winkeljohn.
“Cris ‘Cyborg’ is just incredible with her strength and with what she can so”, he told talkingbrawlsmma.com. “I don’t know if she can make the weight at 135 pounds yet. She’s got a lot of holes in her game, a lot of craziness. That girl is so strong, so we’d have to be worried about it. But Holly would fight her in a heartbeat.” (Transcription via MMAJunkie.com)
“I’m open to opportunities”, Holms agreed on ESPN’s MMA Live. “Each fight is it’s own, and as they come I just take the challenge. So I’m open with that. Cyborg, she is very tough. Actually, her and I have become friends. Really, I’d have to put the friends thing aside in order to fight, because she’s a pretty unique individual. I’m a fan of her.” (Transcription by Bloodyelbow)
Bantamweight contender Miesha Tate posted a set of pictures on her Instagram in August, where her, Holm and Cyborg were posing together after a training session and movie filming. The good relationship between the new UFC champ and the dominating Invicta champ doesn’t seem to be a problem.
“I’ll tell you what: Holly has never turned down a fight before in her life,” said Winkeljohn. “It won’t be on Holly’s terms if she turns down a fight, unless she retires. Holly will fight anybody, anywhere. She’s that tough, mentally. She believes in herself and what she can do.”