Honestly, these are some of the most disgraceful and shameful actions in UFC history…
Germaine De Randamie and Holly Holm were paired at UFC 208, in a fight that was destined to fail. Although Cris Cyborg was and is the best female fighter at 145 pounds, circumstance led to her title fight never materialising.
After failing a USADA drug test, the consensus top female fighter was thrown in to controversy. Still, fans weren’t pleased to see De Randamie and Holm compete for the inaugural featherweight belt.
Controversy
Marred by two punches after the bell in rounds one and two, De Randamie vs. Holm couldn’t have been worse. Moments after winning the belt, De Randamie was already explaining why she couldn’t fight Cyborg right away.
Once Cyborg was cleared by USADA, much like Jon Jones had been previously, she was placed back in the field of play. Sadly, the Brazilian’s active status didn’t encourage De Randamie to accept the fight.
If anything, it just made the situation more awkward.
De Randamie Was Already Talking About Vacating The Belt
Without even having a first defense considered, in a fresh division that she’d fought in for the inaugural title, GDR was talking about vacating the belt. Rumours spread, and then this week it was confirmed.
De Randamie released a long-winded statement about why she is moving back to 135 pounds now she’s healthy. Essentially, reading between the lines, this statement is the ‘how to avoid fighting Cyborg 101’ that we’ve all been dreading:
Dear All,
It’s been a while since I posted something. But because of the commotion that I have come to feel, I feel the need to hear something from me and to clear the air (as far as possible). It is absolutely not so that everything that is said makes me do nothing. Also, I am a human being and I also have feelings. Despite the fact that I’m always positive, the comments make me more than I had hoped. The positive but also the negative.
The fight between me and Chris Cyborg was offered to me last November. Even then, I had all my reservations but I accepted the fight. Chris Cyborg has rejected the fight because she could not get the weight of 66 kilos in twelve weeks time. One month later, she was visited by the USADA and did not pass the test. The rest of the story is known.
Continue below…
Nothing To Do With Fear?
My reason for rejecting the fight now has nothing but nothing at all to do with my fear.
I believe that if you want to do sports you do this without any means that can affect the muscle mass. I – as a top athlete – always trained, always watched my food and put 18 years of my life on sports, without using just one means that is not allowed.
Everyone has his or her opinion on this and that may. But that people think to know what my motives are / do not put me in the cold clothes.
I work full time and irregularly, which takes a lot of time. In addition, there is still a lot of unclear about my hand. I have an appointment with the doctor on 14 June, and it will be decided whether or not to be operated. This option should also be considered for me because there is a great chance that my tendons / nerves can cause such damage that I could not use my hand more optimally.
During the negotiations on the battle with Holly Holm, I said in advance that after this fight I want to return to my natural weight class of 61 kilos. My task has not been completed yet
The UFC has promised me that this would be no problem and I can just return to my natural weight class.
This is why I am focusing on this moment.
When I fell in love with the martial arts 18 years ago, I had 1 goal. Share my great love with others who have the same love for martial arts as me !! This is my goal and will always remain my goal.
I want to thank everybody who has always stood before me and still support me through thick and thin !! You guys rock.
For all the haters; Two Baths !! “The IronLady” is far from done
