Cris Cyborg's drop to 135 pounds is on hold.
Invicta president Shannon Knapp announced Friday on Inside MMA that Cyborg's next fight will be contested at featherweight, rather than a catchweight of 140, which was initially planned. Knapp said Cyborg's move to the UFC has been delayed due to Holly Holm's knockout of Ronda Rousey. The UFC was trying to put together a bout between Rousey and Cyborg if Cyborg could make the 135-pound women's bantamweight division.
"Especially today with the announcement that Holly and Ronda will have a rematch -- that will be the next fight for both -- I think it does take kind of it off the table for her, kind of shelves it a bit," Knapp said. "But I still think there's a desire there at some point. And it's still a fight I'd like to see, whether it's Ronda or Holly or whoever it is."
Knapp added that Cyborg, the Invicta featherweight champ, chose not to compete at 140 pounds, because of USADA's IV ban. Because Cyborg is signed with Zuffa, she must follow the UFC's anti-doping policy.
"This will be the first time she has competed without hydrating herself with an IV," Knapp said. "She's made the decision to go ahead and defend her belt."
Cyborg is supposed to fight Cindy Dandois at Invicta FC 15 on Jan. 16 in Costa Mesa, Calif. It's unclear if Dandois will remain the opponent with the fight being contested at 145. Dandois does compete in Invicta's featherweight division.
Knapp said she is unsure what the future will hold beyond this upcoming fight for Cyborg, who has been the most dominant women's fighter in the world for the last seven years.
"Just to reiterate, Cris is a UFC athlete," Knapp said. "So, the discussions about what she does in the future goes on between them."
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