UFC issues statement on choice to strip Germaine de Randamie of featherweight title

Earlier today, we learned that Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Megan Anderson will collide for undisputed UFC women’s featherweight gold in the co-main event of UFC 214 in Anaheim, California this July 29. This news immediately raised question about the status of Germaine de Randamie, who won the undisputed women’s featherweight title with a controversial decision defeat of Holly Holm back in February.

De Randamie, as many speculated, has been stripped of the undisputed featherweight title so that this Cyborg-Anderson fight could be made possible. The promotion stripped the Dutch fighter of her title after she refused to fight Cyborg.

The UFC explained this choice in a Monday morning statement posted to UFC.com.

“UFC has informed Germaine de Randamie and her management team that she is being removed as the women’s featherweight champion due to her unwillingness to fight the No. 1 ranked contender, Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino. Subsequently, top contender Justino will face newly signed Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson for the UFC women’s featherweight title in the co-main event of UFC® 214: CORMIER vs. JONES 2, July 29 in Anaheim, Calif.

UFC maintains that any champion is expected to accept fights against the top contenders in their respective weight classes in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.”

Cyborg will enter this fight having gone 2-0 since joining the UFC in early 2016. In her Octagon first bout, she mauled the durable Leslie Smith to a savage, TKO win. In her second Octagon appearance, which occurred in her native Brazil, she smashed Sweden’s Lina Lansberg to a second-round TKO. Cyborg has not lost since her first pro bout, which occured all the way back in 2005. The Brazilian star’s overall record currently stands at 17-1 with one no contest.

Megan Anderson meanwhile, will enter this massive UFC 214 featherweight showdown with an overall record of 10-2. In her most recent fight, she won the interim Invicta featherweight title by defeating Charmaine Tweet. She was then promoted to undisputed champion.

Who do you have in this newly announced Cris “Cyborg” vs. Megan Anderson UFC 214 featherweight title fight? Do you think it was the right move to strip Germaine de Randamie of the title?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/18/2017.