After Conor McGregor, it seems another UFC star wants to try her hand in the boxing ring. Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino has reportedly been granted a boxing license by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), and the feared female mixed martial artist is looking to compete in the junior middleweight division.
Cyborg’s UFC contract is set to expire soon so the jump to boxing could be an alternative in case it does not get renewed. The 32-year-old remains undefeated thought the UFC is trying to arrange a match between her and another boxer-mixed martial artist, Holly Holm.
Can Cyborg box?
Just a couple of weeks ago, Justino discussed her interest in boxing. She does have friends in the sport like Claressa Shields, the current IBF, and WBC super middleweight champion. Both have sparred in the past, so Cyborg has obviously been working on her boxing skills.
The recent Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor match may have spurred that interest as well. The difference, however, is that Justino plans to make a serious shift – meaning this will not be a one-time deal.
With the workouts she has been having with Shields, it seems that Justino is looking to start a career in the boxing ring and see if she can gain the same success she has so far had in the Octagon.
“When you’re sparring with someone that is not from boxing it’s more difficult because he throws a different jab compared to a boxer, has different faints, so there are more surprises," said Justino in a report from BoxingScene.com.
UFC unlikely to let Cyborg go easily
Cyborg has had her issues in the UFC, particularly when it comes to her weight class. One such example is that case involving Ronda Rousey.
Before "Rowdy’s" career came tumbling down, the mixed martial arts world wanted to see both fighters square off in the Octagon. Weight was an issue with Cyborg needing to trim down for the UFC to sanction that match.
The landscape changed when Rousey fell to Holm. It went several notches lower when Rousey suffered another defeat at the hands of Amanda Nunes. Rousey recently got married, and a possible return to the Octagon holds low chances.
On the other hand, Cyborg has a couple of options. One is with Holm, ironically a former boxer as well.
So far, nothing has been made official – made even worse by the fact that Justino’s contract is set to expire.
Trying out boxing may be more of an alternative for Cyborg and the UFC will still make its pitch to re-sign her. With Shields helping her out, Cyborg could have a future in boxing – a far more serious intent than what McGregor had accomplished against Mayweather.
