Featured image credit: PA
UFC 205 is still a while off but that of course hasn't stopped the rumour mill going into over-drive about who is going to fight who and which stars will be making their long-awaited comebacks.
Conor McGregor will almost certainly be fighting at the UFC's first ever event at New York's Madison Square Garden in November, regardless of the result against Nate Diaz at UFC 202, but Ronda Rousey has been ruled out altogether by UFC president Dana White.
The official reason is that she only recently underwent surgery on her knee and would be nowhere near ready to fight until at least December, when White hopes to have his prize asset back on the fight card.
While White is insistent that Rousey will face whoever is the women's bantamweight champion at the time for her comeback fight, one woman who appears determined not to allow that to happen is Cris Cyborg.
The Brazilian fighter is a featherweight, one weight class above Rousey, but has gone on the record several times claiming she'd be happy for a catch-weight fight at 140lbs just to make it happen.
As anybody who has followed UFC for any amount of time knows, Rousey doesn't feel she needs to prove herself outside of bantamweight and has rejected the fight despite calls from fans to face Cyborg in the 'ultimate' female MMA battle.
Several reasons have been spread across the internet as to why Rousey refuses to face Cyborg any time soon.
One reason is that she's scared - which is unlikely given it's her job to fight. Another is that she wants to dominate the bantamweight class for a second time before trying anything new. Another reason is that she's actually moving away from fighting and wants to concentrate on her fledgling Hollywood career.
Cyborg thinks she knows the real reason, though...
Fucking ouch. Rousey has been out of the MMA game for a while but poking fun at her weight?! Bit of a low blow from Cyborg.
I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if this dig is enough to get Rousey back in the Octagon or not.
Words by George Pavlou
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Ronda Rousey