Cris Cyborg Signs With UFC, UFC Fight Night 62 Ratings, UFC Fighter Retires
Globo had broken news that Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino has signed a contract with the UFC.
Cyborg has been the subject of a much talked about fantasy bout with UFC Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, but has been inconsistent in her commitment to cut to 135 pounds. Cyborg revealed earlier this year she was up to 175 pounds, a substantial increase over previous year.
Dana White told Ariel Helwani of UFC Tonight that Cyborg was actually signed two months ago. If she makes 135 pounds outside of the UFC, they'll bring her over for a title fight. He said that Rousey wants the fight and this deal was to show fans that they're actively trying to make it happen.
Cyborg is currently slated to fight for Invicta in July. No opponent has been set.
- UFC Fight Night 62 ratings are in, and they're not good. The event managed 617,000 viewers for the underwhelming card, falling way short of every other UFC broadcast in prime time this year. The low ratings follow a huge string of success for the company, both on pay-per-view and cable. Throughout the first two months of 2015, the promotion did around 2 million PPV buys and reached record ratings numbers on Fox Sports 1.
- Middleweight UFC fighter Nick Catone has retired after missing over a year of action. The veteran of 8 UFC fights cited lingering injuries as his motivation to hang up his gloves. He retires with a 10-4 pro MMA record.