'Cyborg' Justino on Tito Ortiz split: 'He supported me when nobody would help'

Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane Justinohas plenty of time to fight at the weight that presumably will open the door to a fight with UFC champion Ronda Rousey, but Cyborg has a firm idea about the amount of time she can stay there.

Before, I said I wouldnt because I would die, because I thought I couldnt make 10 fights at 135 (pounds), she told MMAjunkie Radio. I can make a nice deal for me and my opponent for three, four times.

Justino and her now-former reps have made it clear that the barrier to a potential fight with Rousey isnt as severe as initially thought, and the fighter is bringing in help to ensure she doesnt suffer any serious health problems in shedding an additional 10 pounds.

Ill put my head to it and try it, said Justino (12-1), who said she changed her mind about the lighter weight this past December when she hatched a plan to fight Rousey (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), the UFC womens bantamweight champ, by years end. This year, Im so busy, and I have a lot of fights. I have a good chance to change my size, and Ill get some help, too.

UFC President Dana White said Justinos former manager, UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz, painted the fighter into a corner by saying she would die if she tried to fight at 135 pounds, where Rousey reigns. But Justino said the issue is really over how many times she attempts to make the limit.

Ill try 100 percent to make weight because I want the fight (with Rousey), she said. I think its good for the fans who want to watch the fight.

This past month, Justino shed Ortiz and lawyer George Prajin as her representatives after White indicated that Ortiz was keeping a deal from getting done. While Justino wasnt happy to part ways with the current Bellator fighter, she said he will still be in her corner as she forges on with her career.

Justino said Ortiz supported her during a dark period in her career when she was without a promotional home after being stripped of her title in the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion as the result of a positive steroid test.

Tito is now my family, she said. When I met him, he supported me when nobody would help me. When youre champion, you have a lot of people by your side. When you have bad times, nobodys with you. And he was with me.

He told me, Its better for you that Im around less because I dont want to make problems for you. He not only watched my money, but he knows me. What manager knows me? Its very hard for me. I respect him so much, and were still friends and still family. I know hell be by my side when I fight. It makes me sad, but I know its important for me now with this situation. I can train hard and focus.

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'Cyborg' Justino on Tito Ortiz split: 'He supported me when nobody would help'

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