It all kicked off at the 2017 UFC Athlete Retreat in Las Vegas.
Invicta featherweight champion and former Strikeforce queen Cristiane Justino got into a heated altercation with another fighter on the UFC’s roster on Sunday, according to several reports.
Cyborg was supposedly upset over some personal tweets sent by Angela Magana and confronted the strawweight in Sin City. After some words were exchanged, the Brazilian fighter punched Magana in the face. MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani reported that Magana was rocked by the punch, but maintained her footing.
Cris Cyborg & Angela Magana just got into an altercation at the retreat. Words exchanged, tempers flared and Cyborg punched Magana.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 21, 2017
Magana was rocked but didn’t fall to the ground. It was broken up after. Cyborg has been very upset about some personal tweets from Magana.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 21, 2017
According to UFC strawweight Bec Rawlings, who is a close friend of Magana’s, Helwani’s claim that she was stunned by the strike was false. The Australia di confirm, however, that the blow left its mark on her lip.
@arielhelwani Magana was not rocked ?? she took it like a G, but does have a busted lip.
— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) May 21, 2017
Another detail Helwani didn’t mention was the fact that former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman tried, and failed, to intervene. His teammate Aljamain Sterling was only delighted to share this news with the world.
You forgot where she punked Weidman like a G! Never seen Weidman pivot away so fast 😂 https://t.co/Dx3KdsAc4q
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 21, 2017
The All-American later confirmed that he tried to be the hero of the situation, but it just didn’t happen for him.
This is true. I learned my lesson fast !!! https://t.co/apyqpML5hk
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 21, 2017
Haha she pointed at me and I tucked my tail and ran https://t.co/h2I750vi4Z
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 21, 2017
Magana, a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter 20, is still on the UFC’s roster despite having not competed since 2015.
She took to Twitter to refute reports that she called the cops on Cyborg, but revealed that she would be pressing charges against arguably the P4P greatest female fighter in the world.
Lets be clear I did not call cops UFC did. But I decided to press charges after speaking with them. I have my teeth pic.twitter.com/BKrAMpz8Sy
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) May 22, 2017
I was the victim of roid rage today. Hope it was worth your job. Sue happy lawyers hitting me up left and right now #Cyborg
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) May 22, 2017
Apparently it was one tweet in particular that sparked Cyborg’s aggression. Magana sent out a tweet poking fun at Cyborg’s appearance using a photo of her visiting cancer patients at a hospital in Brazil. Cyborg’s father is battling cancer and she went dressed as a superhero to visit sick children.
Only 1 day to vote on #yourmajesty poll in previous tweet. Its anonymous you pussies. Who wore it better? Please see previous tweet to vote pic.twitter.com/ivLD7HD7vk
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) April 27, 2017
