The UFC women’s featherweight division hasn’t really gotten off the ground.
Ever since Germaine de Randamie defeated Holly Holm at UFC 208 for the inaugural title, there has been utter confusion over the future of the weight class, particularly with de Randamie disappearing from the public eye and not releasing any comments to the media.
Now though it seems we have an idea of what the champion’s plans are, and needless to say, it doesn’t look good for women’s 145-pounds
Taking to her Instagram today with a couple of posts, de Randamie has re-confirmed her stance on turning down a bout with Cris Cyborg — the woman pointed to as the logical contender — and instead stated she plans to return to 135-pounds. It’s unknown what this means for the featherweight title.
“It’s been a while since I posted something,” de Randamie posted (as transcribed by Champions.Co). 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.
“My reason for rejecting the fight now has nothing but nothing at all to do with my fear.”
As for her future plans at bantamweight, de Randamie believes that the UFC will back her decision, and states they have already informed her she’s permitted to move back down to her original weight class. However, before we see that next step, de Randamie has confirmed that she’ll be getting the hand surgery she mentioned back in February.
“I work full time and irregularly, which takes a lot of time,” de Randamie wrote. “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.”
