Even though Holm vs. Rousey 2 is already being teased, Cris “Cyborg” Justino wants Ronda Rousey next. Cyborg explained in this recent interview that she wasn’t as shocked as the fans at Holly Holm’s UFC 193 victory, and that she still wants to fight Rousey.
“I knew the way. I already knew Ronda could not take a punch.” Cyborg told Combate. “I said it before that she had never been really punched in the face before. If you watch her sparring sessions, only Ronda would hit, nobody would hit her back and we know what the sport is like. She had never taken an opponent who knew how to strike and had knockout power. Most girls she faced were flyweights who moved up, but not Holly Holm. She is my size and that mattered.
“I believe that’s why Ronda said she would only fight me if I dropped to bantamweight, because she’s aware of my physical strength, my size, and she knows that would be a problem for her. Holly Holm is as tall as me, it’s the same, there was no need for someone from a heavier weight class. She came from the same weight class and showed Ronda reality.”
Despite the brutal loss, Cyborg still thinks the fans want to see her fight Rousey.
“I believe fans still want to watch this fight, but plans have changed. In fact, Ronda avoided this fight because she wanted to be unbeatable, she wanted to remain undefeated. We will see what happens next and how she handles the loss. It a surprise not only for her, but for everyone who was there. My life did not change, though. I will keep on training. Of course I want to fight. After Holly Holm, it was supposed to be me and her, as Dana White said. I don’t know what will happen now, but I sure am ready and I will be ready the day this fights comes along. I think it was fight that should have happened already.”
Related: Cris Cyborg Still Wants Rousey Fight: “There’s No Doubt Who’s The Baddest On The Planet”