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The Missed Opportunity: Cyborg and Rousey Face an Unrealized Challenge
UFC

Published 91 days ago

The Missed Opportunity: Cyborg and Rousey Face an Unrealized Challenge

Cris Cyborg expresses regret over the missed opportunity to face Ronda Rousey at their peak. Despite Dana White’s announcements, this long-awaited fight never materialized, leaving fans wanting more.

To remember:

  • Cris Cyborg criticizes Ronda Rousey for avoiding a fight at their peak.
  • Dana White had announced a possible showdown after Rousey’s victory over Holly Holm.
  • The Cyborg vs. Rousey rivalry remains unfinished, disappointing fans.

Incredible but true: one of the most anticipated rivalries in UFC history never happened! Cris Cyborg, the undisputed bantamweight legend, has never hidden her bitterness toward Ronda Rousey's attitude. According to her, Rousey deliberately avoided a showdown at their peak, robbing fans of a mythic duel.


In a recent interview, Cyborg recalled that Rousey had all the cards in hand to accept this fight. « She had the opportunity to face me when I was at the top of my game, but she chose not to do it, » she stated with a hint of frustration. Yet, the circumstances seemed favorable: after her stunning victory over Holly Holm in 2015, Rousey was in a strong position to take on this challenge.


A Fight Announced, Then Vanished

The UFC president, Dana White, had already sparked hope by publicly discussing a potential clash between the two champions. « After her win over Holm, everyone was talking about a fight against Cyborg. But nothing came of it, » confides an insider close to the scene. Fans, meanwhile, were already dreaming of seeing these two sacred monsters battle it out in the Octagon.


Yet, despite the announcements and speculation, Rousey ultimately turned her back on this opportunity. Some analysts suggest she may have preferred to avoid a fight against such a formidable opponent, while others cite personal or strategic reasons. One thing is certain: this unfinished rivalry remains one of the biggest « what ifs » in combat sports history.

While the absence of this fight left a bitter taste for supporters, it also raises questions about athletes' choices and missed opportunities in the world of MMA. A legendary rivalry, but never realized, that continues to haunt memories.

Editor's Opinion
By Nakmen
Damn, this "what if" still gives me chills like a Jurassic Park episode where you know the T-Rex is about to devour everything. Cyborg was right to complain, but hey, we know the tune: Ronda always had that "I pick my battles like a king avoiding wasps" vibe. After Holm, she should’ve jumped at the chance, but no, she preferred to play princess in the shadows. Too bad, because Cyborg vs. Rousey would’ve been a battle of legends, Batman vs. Joker style, but with more sweat and fewer monologues. And let’s be real, Dana White once again let a gem slip through his fingers because of his "sell everything, even if it’s rotten" policy. A real OSS 117 in UFC form, always promising the moon before letting it crash down.
Article written by SkimAI
Reviewed and completed by Nakmen