The chances of a superfight between Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Cristiane Santos may have an added stipulation that could result with Rousey making MMA history.
In an interview with MMAJunkie, Santos, who had originally tweeted that she was looking for her release from Strikeforce, is willing to put what she believes is her Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight championship on the line if Rousey moves up to 145.
“To put this issue to rest, if Ronda is the future of women’s MMA and is the champion that she envisions, you know where I am, and I am more than willing to give you an opportunity to test me. I will fight you at 145 pounds – you know the weight you started at – and then you can have two belts and prove to everyone that you are indeed a champion.”
Santos was stripped of the Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight championship after failing a post-fight drug test back in 2011. She received one year of suspension, which ends in December 2012.
Regardless of whether or not she faces Rousey, Santos intends on coming back to the 145-pound division and reclaiming her championship.
If Strikeforce is willing to reinstate Santos as the women’s featherweight champion upon her return, and Rousey agrees to the match at 145, she could become the first woman in mixed martial arts to be a champion in multiple weight classes.
Both Santos and Rousey have talked trash with each other and demanding they come fight at their weight class. By having the fight at 135, Rousey wants to ensure it is a fair fight while Santos has said that Rousey competed at 145 in the beginning of her career. The Cyborg even suggested a fight at 140, but Rousey refused. Santos said her cardiologist and physician have advised her that the drop in weight could result in health problems.
Rousey is considered by many to be the number one female fighter in the world and beating Santos would solidify that claim, no matter what weight they fought at and while she doesn’t have to move up to 145 to fight Santos, capturing the belt that belonged to the Cyborg would make a great addition to her trophy case.
Should Rousey move up to 145 to fight for Cyborg’s belt? Tweet me your answer @alstover with the hashtag #Rantmma
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