10 Huge UFC Stars Who Could Return In 2017

7. Cyborg Santos

Georges St. Pierre, of Canada, left, reacts following his UFC 167 mixed martial arts championship welterweight bout versus Johny Hendricks on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Las Vegas. St. Pierre won by split decision. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Jeff Chiu/AP

Speaking of USADA, the woman recognized as the most feared in all of combat sports is currently on the sidelines, awaiting her chance to claim the title at 145lbs due to a failed drug test late last year.

Cris "Cyborg" Santos has appeared on two UFC cards to date, and is the Invicta FC featherweight champion. When the UFC decided to create a 145lb division for women, it was with Cyborg in mind. The failed drug tests (for a diuretic she claims was prescribed by a doctor to help with issues stemming from weight cuts) kept her out of the debut women's featherweight fight at UFC 208, but she's certainly looming in the distance.

Now, word from UFC President Dana White says things are looking good as far as Cyborg being given a therapeutic use exemption, which would allow her to get back in the octagon. If that happens, it's almost a lock that she'll be fighting for UFC gold soon, against Germaine de Randamie. It could be as soon as sometime this Summer.

If she is handed a suspension, it's likely to be retroactive to December, so either way she could be back before the end of the year.

Contributor
Contributor

Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.