Holly Holm News: UFC Bantamweight Queen Willing To Fight Former Rousey Rival Cyborg Justino At Featherweight
Reigning UFC bantamweight queen Holly Holm is open to fighting Ronda Rousey's long-time on-paper rival Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino at a heavier weight class.
Rousey and Justino had been trading verbal barbs over the years. One of the reasons why the fight between the two women has not happened is because of weight issues. Back when she held the UFC's 135-pound strap, Rousey was insistent on facing Justino at the said weight, in which the latter was against.
Justino is currently the Invicta FC featherweight champion, whose comfortable weight class is at 145-pounds. But since losing the belt to Holm at UFC 193 in mid-November, Rousey is no longer an interesting fight to Justino, as the latter claims. Instead, a possible match-up between the Brazilian and Holly Holm is being billed as the next major fight for women's mixed martial arts.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
As expected, "The Preacher's Daughter" has welcomed the idea with open arms. But interestingly, she also says she is willing to face Justino at a higher weight class. In a report by MMA Fighting, Holm says she is interested in being involved in the first-ever featherweight fight in the UFC and has no qualms moving up in weight.
"I know with the UFC, they don't have that division. So, if that was something that they were going to put together, I'm not against it," Holm said in the report. "I'm open to it."
Justino holds an impressive 14-1 (one no contest) record, with 12 victories by stoppage. Like Holm, she also had a brief kickboxing stint, and held a 2-1 win-loss slate.
As for Holm, fighting at a heavier weight class is a non-issue, as she had experience doing so as a professional boxer. She did clarify, however, that making the move up is not yet a certainty in her immediate future.
"I guess I would just have to see if whatever would unfold if that was an option," Holm said.
