White: USADA case looks good for Cyborg, 145-pound title fight could be next

Don't count out the uncrowned queen of the women's featherweight division just yet.

Cris Cyborg is currently under investigation after being flagged for a USADA violation this past December. Shortly after that news broke, Cyborg explained that she was undergoing medical treatment and that there was nothing sinister going on.

Regardless, the timing of the report couldn't have been worse for the Brazilian star as the UFC had put the wheels in motion for the creation of a 145-pound women's division with Cyborg presumably positioned as the centerpiece.

Speaking to ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Friday, UFC president Dana White expressed optimism over Cyborg's pending case and went as far as to predict that she will eventually fight the winner of UFC 208's inaugural women's featherweight title bout between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.

"We did this thing because Cyborg was freaking out and didn't want to make 135 or 140, so we pull the trigger, then this stuff goes with her and USADA, which is actually looking really good now by the way," said White.

"Apparently the three things that she has is what this medicine is used for. It was looking bad for a minute and now it's looking better so we're in a good place. I truly believe that whoever wins this title on Saturday night will fight Cyborg for the title."

Okamoto also spoke to Cyborg's attorney Howard Jacobs, who is encouraged that his client may receive an exemption based on the fact that the USADA have asked for additional information to review her case.

Cyborg currently reigns as the featherweight champion of Invicta FC, an all-female promotion that works closely with the UFC. She made the move to the Octagon last May and is 2-0 so far with both of her wins coming by way of TKO. Her record stands at 17-1 and she has not lost a fight since making her MMA debut 11 years ago.