There is a third women’s weight class in the UFC and the former bantamweight champion is getting first crack at the belt.
Holly Holm will take on Germaine de Radamie for the newly minted women’s featherweight belt at UFC 208 in Brooklyn on February 11.
Holm, who held the 135lbs belt after defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, will take on the Dutch fighter known as ‘The Iron Lady’.
BREAKING! @HollyHolm & @IronLadyMMA to compete for the inaugural women's 145lb belt at #UFC208! https://t.co/K7ipM0TL4V pic.twitter.com/ZqAgaNJFFS
— UFC (@ufc) December 14, 2016
Not everyone is happy about the bout, however. Not by a long shot.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Cyborg declared she was the real featherweight champion. She also remarked about her being denied the first crack at the title while someone like Anthony Pettis gets an interim featherweight title shot after going 1-3 in his last four fights. She said:
“I’m happy the UFC created my division. It’s been 11 years I’m fighting for women to have the same rights as men with several divisions.”
Selecting Holm, who defeated Ronda Rousey last November before losing to Miesha Tate and Valentina Shevchenko, to fight de Randamie [7-3] certainly does seem odd. Much like Conor McGregor with the featherweight division, MMA fans will associate Cyborg with this new division until she gets a title shot.
“Everybody knows I’m the featherweight champion. 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.”
Cyborg has a point and many fight fans agree.
I like Holm, but @criscyborg is the featherweight GOAT! At least this way, we will see the title change hands again when Cyborg wins #UFC https://t.co/uYRgh1puPJ
— James Love (@JLove2402) December 14, 2016
This is ridiculous, @criscyborg just ask for fight in march 😤 UFC is Destroying all the brazilian fighters 🙁 @danawhite https://t.co/vdu91IeTDk
— João Victor (@jvdesignofc) December 14, 2016
@criscyborg Dana did you dirty. This 145 Title Fight is a joke. Never give the UFC your time or effort again. #Persevere #Riseabove
— Shannon Sanderson (@sslee3376) December 14, 2016
Some fight fans are just delighted to have some hard-hitting women taking their blows to town.
All the complaining about cris Cyborg takes away from the good news, we got an 11th ufc division we get some woman who can actually hit hard pic.twitter.com/rfBHQPVsF6
— Just Alex (@UFC_Fan_Alex193) December 14, 2016
