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Ronda Rousey, top, celebrates as Cat Zingano kneels on the mat during a UFC 184 mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in Los Angeles. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ronda Rousey, top, celebrates as Cat Zingano kneels on the mat during a UFC 184 mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in Los Angeles. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Ronda Rousey, Dana White Dish on Potential Superfight with Cris 'Cyborg' Justino

Steven RondinaMar 1, 2015

Ronda Rousey broke a couple of records at UFC 184 with her 14-second victory over Cat Zingano. She also strengthened her claim for top honors in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. But nary a bout can go by for Rousey without the question turning to Cris "Cyborg" Justino.

At the UFC 184 post-fight press conference, both Rousey and UFC President Dana White were repeatedly questioned about a potential superfight between MMA's two leading ladies.

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In a twist that surprised absolutely nobody, the major issue discussed by White was the weight at which the two could fight. "I'll say it," said White, "[Rousey] asks me all the time. 'I'll fight her whenever she makes 135'...the champ doesn't chase other people...you go to the champ." 

Rousey, for her part, echoed that sentiment. Speaking with Ariel Helwani on the UFC 184 post-fight show on Fox Sports 1, the champ flatly said, as transcribed by MMATorch.com, "If she'd like to come to the UFC and fight at '35, then yes, I would."

She also took the chance to barb Justino's Friday win over Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11, saying she was "not really" impressed by Justino's 46-second TKO win over someone she had already beaten "in her second pro fight in 40 seconds." Rousey beat Tweet in 2011 at HKFC 12 in 49 seconds.

Justino has spent the majority of her career fighting at 145 pounds, competing as a featherweight in EliteXC before graduating to Strikeforce, where she defeated Gina Carano to become the promotion's first female champion. Today, she is Invicta FC's top featherweight, with wins over Fiona Muxlow, Marloes Coenen and Tweet.

That said, there was an interesting development at the presser. White made no effort to hide the fact that he was avoiding discussion of the relationship between the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, and Justino. 

Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reported in January that the organization was pursuing a deal with Justino. In addition, Invicta FC (which maintains close ties with the UFC) set up a show headlined by Justino on the Friday before UFC 184, which took place just a few miles away from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

When asked about this, White repeatedly told the assembled media to direct questions about that topic to UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta, who was not in attendance for the press conference.

Unfortunately, Rousey's future is murky at this time. She revealed at the presser that she would be taking a bit of time off to appear in another movie. She refused to say which movie, however, and gave no indication of when she could re-enter the cage.

In spite of the relatively gloomy outlook, there is hope that the bout could take place at some point in the future.

Invicta President Shannon Knapp stated that Rousey vs. Cyborg is "closer than it ever has been," and there is little doubt this would rank among the biggest fights the UFC could potentially make. The fact that Zuffa has been seeking a deal with Justino, and the fact that White ducked questions regarding this, adds fuel to that discussion.

Stick with Bleacher Report for more news on both fighters as it develops.

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