Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino finally signs with UFC, books May bout

LOS ANGELES — Veteran mixed martial arts champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino will make her UFC debut in her native Brazil in May.

The UFC announced the deal Monday (Tuesday, Manila time), booking Justino to meet Leslie Smith in a 140-pound catchweight bout at UFC 198.

Justino (15-1) has long been considered one of the top fighters in the women’s sport. She has a 15-fight winning streak since her debut in 2005, stopping nine consecutive opponents and winning titles in the Strikeforce and Invicta promotions.

Justino was a long-rumored opponent for former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, but Justino had expressed concerns about making the 135-pound limit. Rousey’s loss to Holly Holm last year derailed the discussion.

Justino served a one-year suspension in 2012 for testing positive for steroid use.