Cyborg on De Randamie’s refusal to fight: It’s the UFC’s problem, not mine

As the inaugural UFC featherweight champion, Germaine de Randamie drew the line in terms of who her next opponent will be. In a statement her team released on Friday, “The Iron Lady” is willing to face anyone, except for Cris Cyborg, whom the branded as a “known and proven cheater.”

Cyborg immediately responded via her own statement to MMA Fighting hours later. According to her, she should not be faulted if the current champion is not willing to take a fight against her.

"She’s running, scared to enter the Octagon with me. That’s another one of her excuses to not enter the Octagon with me,” Cyborg claimed. “That’s really not my problem, it’s the UFC’s (problem). And she’s also stating that USADA is not legit."

"That decision is totally out of my reach,” she continued. "I’m the world champion, undefeated for 10 years. With or without a belt. My fans follow Cris Cyborg. She’s the champion the UFC made. It’s their problem now."

Cyborg also confirmed that she has been lined up for a fight at UFC 214 on July 29^th in Anaheim, but her opponent has not been specified.

“That's in Dana (White’s) hands. The correct fight would be against No. 2 featherweight, Megan Anderson."

After the interview, Cyborg also released a separate statement.

I was the first athlete to do over a year of testing with USADA BEFORE officially fighting in the UFC.

USADA granted me a Therapeutic usage after a 60 day investigation with compliance from myself and both their doctors and my own.

Who is GDR? She struggled to make 200k PPV buys with Holly Holm and Anderson Silvia fighting!! Megan Anderson is twice as popular as her and doesn't have losses against Julia Budd and Amanda Nunes.

GDR is an example of why rankings need to be independently established and respected. She won the belt fighting someone who has now lost 3 in a row and was ranked #10 at 135lbs. I don't see how someone ranked #10 at 135lbs is getting a title shot. Someone with back to back losses should never be fighting for the belt either. I'm world champion. GDR is UFC champion.

I am the true world champion at 145 with Julia Budd and Megan Anderson the next Contenders.

I can respect GDR saying she doesn't want to fight me, but she knows I'm clean with the USADA guarantee and she is just searching for air. I think maybe she's disappointed with the money her manager is getting her and trying to use this for negotiation.

Cyborg is currently in hot water after being involved in a physical altercation with strawweight Angela Magana at the UFC Athlete’s Retreat last weekend. She has been issued a citation for the incident, which she will need to appear in court for.