Cris Cyborg (far) punching Fiona Muxlow (near) at Invicta FC 5. Photo credit: Esther Lin/Invicta FC

By FCF Staff

After months of speculation and debate as to whether Cris “Cyborg” Justino would ever step into the Octagon, the renowned fighter will finally make her UFC debut on Saturday.

Invicta FC’s featherweight champion will take on Leslie Smith at UFC 198 this weekend, which will take place in Justino’s home city of Curitiba, Brazil. The fight will be contested at a catch-weight of 140 pounds.

Since the UFC doesn’t currently promote a 145 pound division, the promotion had insisted Justino cut to 135, as a means to book an all-star bout with Ronda Rousey. But, following Rousey’s loss to Holly Holm last November, the UFC changed course.

Recently Justino spoke to UFC.com about her long awaited, UFC debut, and the Brazilian said the following:

“Now is a very hard time for me getting down to the catch-weight,” “Cyborg” said. “But I just remind myself that everything happens for a reason. All this time waiting and hoping for this opportunity, it just makes me stronger. I feel very blessed to be here and very motivated for this fight in Brazil. There are a lot of people that follow me and know me before, and I have a lot of new fans too that never heard about Cyborg. And after May 14, for sure they will know who Cyborg is.”

Justino (15-1) is coming off a first round, stoppage win over Daria Ibragimova in January. Smith (8-6-1), meanwhile, worked her way to a decision win over Rin Nakai in March.