mma / News

Cyborg Justino: Women’s MMA Shouldn’t Have Just One Face

July 19, 2017 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Cyborg Justino spoke with MMAjunkie for a new interview. The highlights are below:

On if a title win at UFC 214 would solidify her as the face of women’s MMA: “I believe women’s MMA can’t be about a single face. There are many athletes in the UFC. What happened was, they made Ronda the face of MMA, and when she lost, which she did twice, she didn’t want to come back. It’s about all the women who are in there, not just a face. When you make it about one face and the person leaves, you miss that. When I carry my belt, I’ll be representing all women. The same way women in the UFC are representing all women in MMA. I think it’s bad when you make MMA about one face. MMA is about all women.”

On the legal situation around her altercation with Angela Magana: “She attacked me, as well. There are many types of attacks. My lawyer is handling it. I have nothing to say. When I have more information, I’ll share with you. But my lawyer is handling it.”

On Evinger saying she’s Justino’s toughest challenge yet: “I think she’s been showing a lot of courage for taking this fight on short notice. She’s a great opponent. She has many fights. She’s experienced. I believe she’ll be more work than Megan Anderson (because she’s had) more time in the cage. Let’s see. Things are different in the octagon. Everyone has a plan going in there, but after the first punch that changes.”

On if she thinks she’s the favorite coming in: “I believe Tonya taking this fight saved us. It was last minute, a month before. It was very irresponsible of Megan Anderson to accept the fight and not have the documents in order to fight. Thankfully, Tonya Evinger accepted it. I believe you have to respect your opponent, and a fight is a fight. You can’t judge it before it happens. You have to be ready for whatever may happen. Whenever someone goes in the octagon with me, I never see it as an easy fight. I see that I need to be prepared for five rounds. The win or the loss will be God’s will. I just need to give it my best in there.”

On what’s next for her after Evinger: “Since Holly Holm fought for the 145-pound belt, I believe it’d be a good fight. The fans would like it. She’s a striker. She likes standup. I like standup. Why not? It could be my next fight. I know she’s up there for the 135-pound belt. Maybe if she fights for it, or wins the belt – though I believe it stays with Amanda (Nunes, current UFC bantamweight champ). If that opportunity comes up, it’s a fight that I think all fans would like to watch. Who knows?”

On fighters being scared of certain fights or opponents: “I believe some athletes are scared. But they have to work on that. Athletes can’t be scared. Scared of what? Losing? Anyone can lose. Some days you win, and some days you lose. We’re in a sport in which it’s impossible for both fighters to come out victorious. You need to give it your best, train and leave it in God’s hands. It’s insecurity. But losing is not the end of the world. It happens to everyone, naturally. But you have to be prepared to give it your best. If the other person is better that day, they’re going to win. If you’re a fighter, you can’t lose – you can lose a battle, and not the war. You need to keep going. That’s what the fans like: overcoming. Getting back out there and winning again. That’s what makes athletes grow, and that’s what makes the fans follow you – overcoming adversity.”

On how her weight drop is coming along: “I think these three years I’ve been cutting to make the (140-pound) catchweight helped a little in staying lighter. It made it easier for my (145-pound) division. It’s not easy, but I believe I’ve been getting better with my diet every day. I’ve learned a lot in these three years of dieting. Now it’s a lot more professional. I’m very happy with the results. I’m working and training well, training happy. My last weight cuts, of course, were a good opportunity for me to showcase my work. But I wasn’t going into training happy. The people in my camp are a lot happier that I’m in my division now. I’m happy in training, I’m eating a little more. And I’m enjoying it more. I love my job, so going to the gym (while I’m) happy is a different vibe.”

On if she would consider trying for a two-division championship: “Only if they open my division at 155 pounds.” (laughs)