Tito Ortiz Claims Ronda Rousey Is Ducking Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino Due To Fear Of Losing

Bellator light heavyweight fighter Tito Ortiz knows a thing or two on the capabilities of Cris "Cyborg" Justino. The Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer was the former manager of Justino, Invicta FC's current 145-lbs champion. Cyborg successfully retained the title with two title defences in 2013 that resulted in a knockout. Earlier this year, reports were aplomb that the former Strikeforce talent is keen on arranging a collision course with UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey by going down to 135.

Nothing has happened on that front. Justino has been training for a debut at the 135-weight class but was derailed due to a serious ankle injury. Rousey has again raised claims of her performance enhancing drug (PED) use as the root cause of the debacles and the trash talk has intensified since then, with both camps claiming to shut up the other with a win in the Octagon. Now Ortiz has chimed in and coming to the rescue of his former ward and claims that Rowdy is evading the contender when a fight can be had at 145, plain and simple. Ortiz begins by explaining that Justino has been trying to reach 135 but it would be impossible for the Brazilian fighter to get there .

"And she's tried, and she's tried and it's almost impossible for her to do it. And if Ronda made it catch weight; I know Ronda doesn't want to do it because she doesn't want to lose. I see - I mean this is strictly my opinion - I just think that's the only way that fight is ever going to happen, is if it's at a catch weight," Ortiz said in his latest interview with Submission Radio.

These fresh comments from Ortiz are new fuel to fire to the long standing bad blood between Cyborg and Rowdy. The 27-year-old Hollywood actress made waves the previous month by saying that every time Justino steps to the court is tantamount to negligent attempted homicide due to her PED use while Cyborg has countered by saying the champion is ducking her and offered a fight at the 140 lbs. catch weight instead.

Rousey has still a lot on her plate as she is set to tackle number two contender Cat Zingano in UFC 184 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calfiornia. After that a number of aspirants have called her out including Miesha Tate, Bethe Correia and Sara MacMann. UFC President Dana White has not yet considered a new pairing for his best prized fighter as it appears the outfit is taking it one fight at a time. For now, Zingano awaits and Justino will just have to make weight.

Watch the interview of Tito Ortiz with Submission Radio below:

(Youtube/Submission Radio)