Cris Cyborg doesn’t seem into the idea of facing Ronda Rousey anymore.
The Brazilian star, who holds the UFC featherweight championship, has campaigned for years for a fight with “Rowdy" when she was at the top of the world as UFC bantamweight queen.
Now on a two-fight losing skid, and in complete silence after her devastating first-round knockout loss to Amanda Nunes in December, it's unlikely that Rousey will ever return to the Octagon.
On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Rousey’s longtime coach Edmond Tarverdyan broke his silence and revealed that “Rowdy" hasn’t talked about a potential return or retirement from the sport yet, but he sees Cyborg as the perfect match-up for his pupil.
“That’s the one,” Tarverdyan said. “I want that fight. When I trained Ronda, I know Ronda could beat Cyborg. I know that. Cyborg is too slow.”
Cyborg, who is currently training in Thailand and targeting a fight with Holly Holm at UFC 219, scheduled for Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, spoke with MMA Fighting about Tarverdyan’s comments and a possible clash with Rousey.
“If Ronda wants to come back for a fight,” Cyborg said, “I believe it’s better for her to fight Miesha Tate. I’m in another stage of my career. I wanted to fight Ronda when she was psychologically well and confident.”
That doesn’t mean Cyborg would not be interested in facing Rousey in any stage, though.
The Brazilian featherweight, who has hinted at making a transition to pro wrestling a few times in the past, suggested a Cyborg vs. Rousey showdown under the WWE banner.
“Now, if she wants to make a good fight for the fans, we can make it at WWE,” she said. “It would fit perfectly [for her] to go to Hollywood, and for me would be another challenge in my career.
“And something brilliant, her coach would fit perfectly in her corner in WWE, he’s nothing but a joke.”