Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino believes she is the best female 145-pound fight in the world until someone can prove her wrong.
“ESPN and FOX Sports both have me ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in women’s mixed martial arts. I haven’t lost in 10 years,” Justino told FOX Sports. Until someone beats me I am No. 1 in the world no matter what belt is around my waist.”
Justino is the current Invicta featherweight champion. She is unbeaten in her last 18 fights. During this streak, “Cyborg” was the first, and only, Strikeforce women’s featherweight champion. Sixteen of her last 18 fights have ended with a knockout or TKO. Seven of these fights had either the Invicta or Strikeforce title on the line.
Last Saturday, at UFC 208, Germaine de Randamie became the first ever UFC women’s featherweight champion. She won a close decision against former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm to win the title.
“I was not ready to fight Feb.11th. Germaine is a great fighter and a win over Holly only helps increase her star power,” Justino said. “It wasn’t disappointing to be sitting cage side, I was excited because the UFC has made the division. I am ranked No. 1 in the world at 145-pounds and feel confident the fans know that too.”
Despite serving a temporary suspension from USADA after testing positive for banned substances, Justino is confident her suspension will be lifted and she will be able to fight in the near future.
After winning the UFC title, De Randamie said she needed to get surgery on her hand. Justino says if she cannot get a fight for the UFC title, she would like to fight Interim Invicta Featherweight Champion Megan Anderson.
“I am ready to enter fight camp now. If (De Randamie) is injured and can’t fight I would like a chance to fight Megan Anderson,” Justino said. “She is an interim champion for the belt I own and calling out fighters in the UFC. It only makes sense if (De Randamie) is not ready to fight that the UFC would offer her a contract and a chance to fight me on the biggest stage, inside the UFC octagon. I think it would be a great addition to the June event in Rio if she’s ready to fight.”
