After years of hope and speculation, Cris “Cyborg” will finally be making her debut on the biggest MMA stage of them all when she faces Leslie Smith in a 140-pound catchweight bout at UFC 198.
UFC announced the news on Monday via its website.
“One of the most feared fighters in the world is finally making her way to the Octagon, as Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino faces Leslie Smith at UFC 198 on May 14.”
Cris Cyborg will make her UFC debut against Leslie Smith at #UFC198 in Brazil on May 14 at 140 catchweight pic.twitter.com/xwctFX9wUk
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 28, 2016
Cyborg’s addition to the UFC roster is sure to bring a lot more attention to the promotion’s continually growing women’s mixed martial arts divisions. Besides being the former Strikeforce featherweight champion and current Invicta featherweight champion, Cyborg has frequently been rated as one of the best female mixed martial artists in the world, earning thirteen of her fifteen wins via knockout.
Despite her success inside the cage, Cris Cyborg has never limited herself to mixed martial arts. As a brown belt under one of the biggest names in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Andre Galvao, Cyborg frequently competes on the mats and won gold medals in the 2011 and 2012 IBJJF World Jiu-jitsu Championships. She also holds a 2-1 record in kickboxing.
Cyborg is well-known to UFC fans for her heated rivalry with former bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. Though they have never fought, the two queens of women’s mixed martial arts frequently exchanged personal insults over social media (even getting their mothers involved on certain occasions). When Rousey lost her belt in a one-sided battle against former bantamweight champion Holly Holm, Cyborg was one of the first people to rub salt in the Rowdy one’s wounds.
Cris Cyborg, unfortunately, has had salt rubbed in her own wounds, though. On December 17, 2011, in what would have been her third Strikeforce title defense, Cyborg tested positive for stanozolol, a synthetic anabolic steroid. She was later stripped of her title. Opponents and MMA fans have not forgotten the incident, and have taken jabs at her over social media because of it.
When asked why Cyborg would be facing Leslie Smith on her debut, UFC President Dana White tweeted to Not Surprised MFers! that Smith was the only one who wanted to fight the Invicta featherweight champion.
@xSAVExHARLEYx she is the only one that wanted to fight Cyborg. Leslie begged for it. #respect @LeslieSmith_GF
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 28, 2016
Leslie may want the fight, but on May 14 she is going to have her work cut out for her. The 8-6-1 bantamweight will not only be facing one of the best in women’s mixed martial arts, but she will be going toe-to-toe with a woman who normally fights in the weight class above hers.
To make matters even worse for the Pleasant Hill, California native, Leslie will be fighting deep in enemy territory. Though Cyborg currently calls San Diego her home, the former Strikeforce champion is a native of Curitiba, the site of UFC 198.
Smith, however, is undaunted. Shortly after the UFC’s announcement, Leslie tweeted “Hell yeah I wanted this fight” and called her upcoming match “The biggest non-title UFC fight for women ever…” and “Biggest opportunity of my career.”
The biggest non-title UFC fight for women ever.. Biggest opportunity of my career. Hell yeah I wanted this fight! https://t.co/FPQJWSCHWU
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) March 29, 2016
Smith’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, Cesar Gracie, a man who is most famous for training the notorious Diaz brothers, is firmly behind his pupil.
On 6 weeks notice @LeslieSmith_GF did not hesitate. Cyborg vs Smith @ufc pic.twitter.com/94G5fZc2T1
— Cesar Gracie (@CesarGracieBJJ) March 28, 2016
The odds of their match will almost certainly be well in Cyborg’s favor, but if there is one thing mixed martial arts is known for, it is its unpredictability.
The fight between Cris “Cyborg” and Leslie Smith is anyone’s match.
[Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images]
