For the longest time, Cristiane Justino had Ronda Rousey in her sights, but her focus began to shift following one historic November night in Melbourne.
That, of course, is when Holly Holm shocked the world with a head kick KO of Rousey at UFC 193, ending the Olympic judoka’s aura of invincibility. “Cyborg” had aggressively pursued a fight with Rousey prior to that, but the UFC – and Rousey -- wanted the Brazilian to prove she could make 135 pounds first. That was a lot to ask of Justino, who has struggled to make 140-pound catchweight in previous UFC bouts.