Coach: Weight Cut Cris Cyborg’s Biggest Battle Ahead of UFC 198

If all goes as planned, Cristiane Justino’s Octagon debut could lay the foundation for a long-term future in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Jason Parillo, Justino’s boxing coach, believes that an impressive showing by Justino against Leslie Smith at UFC 198 might plant the seed for a 145-pound division in the Las Vegas-based promotion. The May 14 bout between “Cyborg” and Smith will be at 140-pound catch-weight, however, and even that cut could prove difficult for the Brazilian knockout artist. “Our biggest opponent I think is the scale,” Parillo said during an appearance on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “TJ and the Tooth” show. “When the crowd sees that energy that Cris brings into the cage and the ability to finish the fight at any given moment, it’s so exciting to watch. I’m hoping it’ll open doors to the idea of a 145-pound division. “Cris is doing a great job. She’s working with George Lockhart, spending day in and day out making the weight cut…We don’t want to get into Leslie’s fight, some type of brawl, ugly style fight,” he added. “If we don’t cut weight properly and our gas tank isn’t proper [that could be an issue]. Cris is in tremendous shape, but we haven’t been down to 140. This fight isn’t at 145 and I know what a struggle that is, so 140 in itself is gonna be a whole other animal.” Justino, who is currently the Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight queen, campaigned for a spot on the UFC 198 bill. Now, her showdown with Smith …

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