Cris Cyborg sounds off on the announcement of the UFC women’s featherweight title fight between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie

The UFC women’s division took a big turn on Tuesday when it was announced that an inaugural women’s featherweight title fight between former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie would be taking place at UFC 208.

This comes shortly after UFC President Dana White had stated that he offered Invicta featherweight champion Cris Cyborg two dates to fight for the inaugural title.

Cyborg had explained to MMA Fighting that she still had to recover from cutting down to the 140-pound catchweight for her last bout and needed more time. Unfortunately for Cyborg, the UFC did not have any plans on waiting for her.

“I’m happy the UFC created my division,” Cyborg told MMA Fighting on Tuesday following the UFC’s announcement of the women’s featherweight title fight. “It’s been 11 years I’m fighting for women to have the same rights as men with several divisions.”

Cyborg feels that this is a fight strictly for the new fans of mixed martial arts and that all the longtime fans know that she is the featherweight women’s champion.

“Everybody knows I’m the featherweight champion,” Cyborg said. “I’m undefeated for 10 years in my division. They put this belt only to sell the fight for the new MMA fans. For an example, Holly is coming off two consecutive losses and will fight for the belt. The real fight fans know what’s real.”

Cyborg commented on the way title shots work in the UFC and how they are all over the place and brought up the case of the UFC 206 interim featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis.

“I have no idea, there are no rules in MMA,” Cyborg said. “The last fight in the men’s 145-pound division, a 10-0 fighter fought a guy who was 1-5 in his last fights. Other fighters like me have to wait for a title fight. I’m fighting for my division for 10 years, and until yesterday Dana said there were no women. This is our reality.”

Cyborg also tweeted the following on Tuesday following the announcement of Holm vs. de Randamie:

@manbearwolf @ufc @HollyHolm @IronLadyMMA @barclayscenter I thought there was no one in the division it's obvious it's personal

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016

@latimespugmire @HollyHolm I was suppose to fight Holly in brasilia I didn't turn down just asked for march fight date

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016

@mikedyce or you have to think the UFC isn't interested in cyborg as a champ

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016

@sullivank1 @MMAFighting @guicruzzz I accepted a fight with Holly at UFC brasilia. I just asked for a march date

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016

If I am @criscyborg I would start planning to head to Bellator. Least there she would have a guy who treated her like a professional fighter

— Chris Connor (@LastCallwChrisC) December 14, 2016

The worst part is I fought for the division. I didn't turn down I title fight I asked for a march date. 10 years no division and no respect

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016

@kevin_wooten I accepted Holly for UFC brasilia. I asked for a march date after my body recovered

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016