The UFC will finally create the women’s featherweight division, but Cris Cyborg won't be getting the first crack at that title.
The promotion announced on Tuesday night that Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie will collide for the inaugural 145-pound championship at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb. 11.
Cyborg was offered a shot at the featherweight belt against both Holm and Randamie, but explained to MMA Fighting on Dec. 6 that she wouldn't be able to fight again before March.
The UFC decided not to wait for the current Invicta FC featherweight champion, and booked Holm vs. de Randamie.
"I’m happy the UFC created my division,” Cyborg told MMA Fighting following Tuesday's announcement. "It’s been 11 years I’m fighting for women to have the same rights as men with several divisions."
Even though the Brazilian is happy with the UFC's decision to open her division, she took a shot at the match-up. Holm enters the fight following losses to Miesha Tate and Valentina Shevchenko, and de Randamie is 2-1 under the UFC banner.
"Everybody knows I’m the featherweight champion,” Cyborg said. "I’m undefeated for 10 years in my division. They put this belt only to sell the fight for the new MMA fans. For an example, Holly is coming off two consecutive losses and will fight for the belt. The real fight fans know what’s real."
Asked if she hopes to get the winner of this fight next, Cyborg referred to the recent UFC 206 fight between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis to talk about her future.
"I have no idea, there are no rules in MMA,” Cyborg said. “The last fight in the men’s 145-pound division, a 10-0 fighter fought a guy who was 1-5 in his last fights. Other fighters like me have to wait for a title fight. I’m fighting for my division for 10 years, and until yesterday Dana said there were no women. This is our reality."