Still waiting on big names, ‘Cyborg’ to headline UFC card in Brasilia

There was a time it looked like Cris “Cyborg” Justino would never get a fight in the UFC.

Now she is set to headline a card.

Justino will fight newcomer Lina Lansberg in a 140-pound catchweight bout in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia, Brazil on Sept. 24, UFC officials confirmed on Thursday.

The event will air on Fox Sports 1.

Justino has long been a controversial figure in women’s MMA. The former Strikeforce and current Invicta 145-pound champion insists it would be medically unsafe for her to fight at 135 pounds, the biggest weight class for women in the UFC.

That is the division where stars such as Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm compete.

Justino has competed once in the UFC, knocking out Leslie Smith in just 81 seconds in a 140-pound catchweight bout at UFC 198 in May. The 31-year-old Brazilian has not lost since she was submitted in her professional debut in 2005.

She has recorded a knockout in 14 of her career wins and has been very vocal about challenging the UFC’s biggest stars to move up in weight to fight her.

While a blockbuster showdown may be in store down the road, Justino will have to settle for a fight against the little-known Lansberg, a 34-year-old Swedish striker with six straight wins.

Also on the card, former bantamweight champion Renan Barao will compete for the second straight time at featherweight when he takes on Philippe Nover.

Barao moved up to 145 pounds in May when he lost to Jeremy Stephens.

Las Vegan Roy Nelson will meet heavyweight veteran Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and welterweights Erick SIlva and Brandon Thatch will square off.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.