TLDR
- Ronda Rousey called Cris Cyborg a ‘cheating, roided-up b*tch’ at a press conference for her upcoming Netflix fight against Gina Carano
- Cyborg responded by explaining her one failed drug test in 2011, saying she unknowingly took banned weight-loss pills from Brazil
- Cyborg has been under Olympic-style testing for 15 years without issues and says she mentors young athletes about PED dangers
- The two UFC champions never fought each other despite years of challenges and public feuding
- Cyborg criticized how Rousey handled losses during her UFC career and said Rousey will never agree to fight her
Sources: uk.sports.yahoo.com
The long-running rivalry between former UFC champions Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg flared up again this week after Rousey made harsh comments about her former rival at a press conference.
Rousey made the comments Tuesday while promoting her upcoming Netflix-streamed fight against Gina Carano. When Carano mentioned her historic 2009 fight against Cyborg, Rousey jumped in with strong words.
“And obviously, that was a cheating, roided-up b*tch that totally cheated you out of your title that was deservingly yours,” Rousey said. “You’re too nice to say it, so I’m gonna say it: f*ck her, and you’re the best.”
Cyborg responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a detailed explanation of her drug testing history. She addressed both her failed test and her clean record since then.
Ronda Rousey on Cris Cyborg: Obviously, a cheating, roided-up bitch that totally cheated you out of your title that was deservingly yours. So, you're too nice to say it, so, I'm gonna say, fuck her and you're the best. pic.twitter.com/ILtde6V8SE
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 10, 2026
Cyborg Explains Her 2011 Failed Test
Cyborg failed a drug test in 2011 after a 16-second victory over Hiroko Yamanaka. The test showed stanozolol metabolites, and the result was changed to a no contest.
“I had one failed test for PEDs in my 21 year career,” Cyborg wrote. “2011. 15 years ago.”
Cyborg said the sport was different at that time and she didn’t speak English. She explained that she took pills given to her in Brazil to help lose weight without knowing they were banned for athletes in the United States.
“I served my penalty,” Cyborg wrote. “I learned a life lesson.”
Cyborg said she has been involved in Olympic-style testing for over 15 years without any other issues. She now uses her experience to teach younger athletes about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.
In 2016, Cyborg faced another issue with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. She explained that a sample was flagged for a diuretic that her doctor prescribed for medical reasons.
“My Dr was unfamiliar with the usada process and had to complete a TUE,” Cyborg wrote. USADA issued a statement saying no wrongdoing occurred.
Cyborg Takes Shots at Rousey’s UFC Exit
Cyborg also criticized how Rousey handled her losses at the end of her UFC career. Rousey famously disappeared from public view after back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
“When @RondaRousey hid her face in a pillow…I walked that same experience with dignity and humility,” Cyborg wrote. She said Rousey couldn’t display those qualities during her UFC career.
Cyborg ended her message with a prediction about their relationship. “One thing I absolutely know is that you will say every mean thing in the world…but you won’t fight me,” she wrote.
The two fighters have exchanged messages across media for years. They never fought each other despite multiple challenges from both sides.
While Rousey was at her peak in the UFC, Cyborg fought in other promotions. Cyborg also competed at a higher weight class than Rousey during much of that time.
Fight fans never got to see what would have been considered a superfight during their prime years. The rivalry remains limited to words on social media and in press conferences.
Cyborg has been fighting professionally for 21 years. Rousey is preparing for her fight against Gina Carano, which will stream on Netflix.
