White: We're going to make a women's 145-lb division, with or without Cyborg
The UFC is heeding Cris Cyborg's call for a women's featherweight division, but whether she'll be a part of it is another story.
President Dana White announced as much in a recent interview with FOX Sports Australia, but remained uncertain as to if and how the Brazilian will figure into the promotion's plans.
"She was offered two fights at 145 pounds, she turned them both down," White said, according to MMAFighting's Shaun Al-Shatti. "The first fight, she said she only had eight weeks and that wasn't enough time to make 145 pounds. And then she gave no reason for the second time. But the answer is yes. The answer is yes, we're going to make a 145-pound division, whether it's with Cyborg or not."
The pair of opponents Cyborg turned down were Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie, although the former's agent has since revealed she was willing to meet the Brazilian at a catchweight in the vicinity of 140 pounds - the weight at which Cyborg has fought in both of her trips to the Octagon - not a women's featherweight title fight, as was initially purported.
Cyborg's weight management issues have been thoroughly documented, prompting her campaign for a women's featherweight division. The 31-year-old has since threatened to leave the UFC if her wish isn't granted, words that have made her future with the promotion an uncertain one, even now that it appears to have been granted.
The Invicta FC featherweight champion last fought at UFC Fight Night 95 in September, defeating Lina Lansberg by second-round knockout.