The rivalry between Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey has been heating up once again, despite the fact that a fight between the two seems like a distant dream. The latest round of verbal sparring comes after the kickoff press conference for the highly anticipated May 16 fight between Rousey and Gina Carano, which will be streamed live on Netflix. While fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup, the tension between Cyborg and Rousey continues to escalate.
The press conference, held in Inglewood, California, was a highly anticipated event, with both Rousey and Carano in attendance. However, it was the absence of Cyborg that raised eyebrows and sparked speculation. Many fans and media outlets were quick to point out that Cyborg’s absence could be a sign of her avoiding a potential fight with Rousey.
This speculation was further fueled by Cyborg’s recent comments, branding Rousey as a “narcissist” and accusing her of ducking a potential fight. These allegations have only added fuel to the fire and have reignited the long-standing feud between the two fighters.
But what exactly is the root of this rivalry? It all started back in 2011 when Rousey, then the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion, called out Cyborg for a fight. However, at the time, Cyborg was the Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Champion and was unable to make the weight cut to fight Rousey. This led to a war of words between the two, with Rousey accusing Cyborg of using performance-enhancing drugs and Cyborg firing back with accusations of her own.
Since then, the two have gone back and forth, with Rousey eventually moving on to the UFC and becoming the first-ever Women’s Bantamweight Champion. However, Cyborg’s dominance in the featherweight division could not be ignored, and she eventually joined the UFC in 2016.
Despite both fighters being under the same promotion, a fight between them has never materialized. Rousey’s move to WWE and subsequent retirement from MMA only added to the disappointment of fans who were hoping to see this matchup.
But now, with Rousey’s return to the octagon against Carano, the rivalry between her and Cyborg has once again taken center stage. While some may see Cyborg’s comments as an attempt to stay relevant, others believe that there may be some truth to her accusations.
One thing is for sure, the tension between these two fighters is real and shows no signs of dissipating anytime soon. But what is it about Rousey that seems to rub Cyborg the wrong way? Some may argue that it is Rousey’s outspoken and confident nature that has earned her the “narcissist” label from Cyborg. Others may point to Rousey’s success and popularity, which could be seen as a threat to Cyborg’s own legacy.
Regardless of the reasons behind their feud, one thing is certain – a fight between these two would be one of the biggest events in MMA history. Both fighters are known for their aggressive and dominant styles, and a matchup between them would undoubtedly be a clash of titans.
But for now, fans will have to settle for the highly anticipated fight between Rousey and Carano. And while the tension between Cyborg and Rousey may continue to simmer, it is important to remember that at the end of the day, these are two incredibly talented and accomplished fighters who have paved the way for women in MMA.
So let’s put aside the drama and focus on the upcoming fight between Rousey and Carano. It promises to be an exciting and historic event, and who knows, maybe one day we will finally see the long-awaited matchup between Cyborg and Rousey. Until then, let’s enjoy the incredible talent and athleticism of these two fierce competitors.
