“She claims she is the ‘Champion’ and openly challenges me to fight at 135 pounds. She competed in the Beijing Olympics at 70 kilograms/154 pounds, and fought at 145 pounds in MMA till she learned she would have to fight me, and then dropped to 135 pounds,” stated Santos in an official comment to Inside MMA. “I have never fought below 145 pound, and I am considered the pound for pound top women fighter in the WORLD!”
“There really is NOT a safe way for me to cut to 135 pounds, not without hurting myself physically,” Santos continued. “I am less than 8% body fat at 145 pounds. And my cardiologist and physician have advised me that to make such a drastic reduction in weight could have permanent effects in my long term health. And I will not endanger my health to satisfy the rantings of a spoiled little girl who has yet to prove that she can truly compete at the my level, at a weight she has not only fought at before but has been awarded an Olympic medal!”
For now, barring a change of heart from Santos or Rousey, it appears the gap separating the two from a future scrap remains as large as it has ever been. Rousey improved her record to 6-0 last weekend by submitting Sarah Kaufman less than a minute into their match-up, while the 10-1 Santos has been out of action since mid-December due to a drug-related suspension.
The complete statement from “Cyborg” can be found below:
“I get many questions about Ronda Rousey, and I would like to set the record straight for the “last time”, as I do not consider her much personally, much less as a fighter.
She claims she is the “Champion” and openly challenges me to fight at 135 pounds. She competed in the Beijing Olympics at 70 kilograms/154 pounds, and fought at 145 pounds in MMA till she learned she would have to fight me, and then dropped to 135 pounds. Which I find laughable. I have never fought below 145 pound, and I am considered the pound for pound top women fighter in the WORLD! I have yet to lose a fight while holding the Strikeforce (featherweight) title. My last fight was considered a no contest, but that has NOT changed the fact that I AM the women’s 145-pound CHAMPION!
There really is NOT a safe way for me to cut to 135 pounds, not without hurting myself physically. I am less than 8% body fat at 145 pounds. And my cardiologist and physician have advised me that to make such a drastic reduction in weight could have permanent effects in my long term health. And I will not endanger my health to satisfy the rantings of a spoiled little girl who has yet to prove that she can truly compete at the my level, at a weight she has not only fought at before but has been awarded an Olympic medal!
So to put this issue to rest, if Ronda is the future of WMMA, 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 that you started at, and then you can have two belts, and prove to everyone that you are indeed a “Champion”.If not, stay at 135 pounds and continue to delude yourself and your fans that you can beat me. You’re really not worth my time otherwise. I will do all of my talking in the ring. Until then your really not worth my breath.”
PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE
Melvin Guillard Cody Guinn Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao Alexander Gustafsson
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