Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino will return to the cage on Jan. 16.
Invicta president Shannon Knapp confirmed the date Monday during an appearance on The MMA Hour. According to Knapp, Justino (14-1) will likely face Cindy Dandois (6-2), although a weight class has not yet been agreed on. The event, Invicta FC 15, will take place in Costa Mesa, California.
Justino, 30, had been working toward making her 140-pound debut in Invicta. A staple of the 145-pound division, Justino, who trains out of Huntington Beach, California, had hoped to prove she can make the 135-pound weight class, which would have set up a dream fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
Rousey (12-1), however, suffered a stunning knockout loss to Holly Holm earlier this month at UFC 193. According to Justino's manager, George Prajin, Rousey's loss threw a wrench into Justino's plans to cut weight. The former Strikeforce champion has stated numerous times that even making 140 pounds is difficult, let alone 135.
Prajin told ESPN.com that recent disparaging remarks made by UFC commentator Joe Rogan during a podcast regarding Justino's weight have also angered the fighter and her camp and prompted her to reconsider dropping weight. Although Prajin didn't rule out a cut to 140 pounds -- or beyond -- those comments coming from a UFC employee coupled with Rousey's loss apparently have lessened her motivation to do so immediately.
"Joe Rogan could end up calling one of Cris' fights in the UFC," Prajin said. "Him making those types of comments about a fighter is completely irresponsible."
Like Justino, Dandois competes in Invicta's featherweight division. The 31-year-old is coming off a second-round submission win against Megan Anderson in September. She has recorded finishes in four of her six career wins.
Justino hasn't fought since posting a 45-second knockout over Charmaine Tweet on July 9. Twelve of Justino's 14 career wins have come via knockout, including seven in the first round. She has not suffered a loss since her pro debut in May 2005.
A strawweight title fight between Livia Souza (8-0) and DeAnna Bennett (8-0) will co-headline Invicta FC 15, according to Knapp's comments on The MMA Hour.
