Cris Justino's 1st title defense set

          • Brett OkamotoJan 26, 2015, 10:52 PM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino will fight on the same weekend, in the same city, as UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey next month.

          The two will not fight each other, however -- at least for now.

          Justino (12-1) will seek her first 145-pound title defense against Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11 on Feb. 27 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp confirmed the event to ESPN.com on Monday.

          On the following night, Rousey (10-0) will attempt to defend her 135-pound title against Cat Zingano in the co-main event of UFC 184 at Staples Center.

          UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta recently confirmed to ESPN.com the promotion was involved in contract discussions that would keep Justino under the Invicta FC banner, while keeping alive the possibility of a potential mega-fight between Justino and Rousey.

          Zuffa, parent company of the UFC, has a close business relationship with Invicta FC, an all-female promotion that airs on UFC's Fight Pass Internet subscription service.

          "We certainly have an interest in Cyborg fighting for us," Fertitta told ESPN.com. "We feel that down the road, there is a possibility of a big fight between her and Ronda, but there are still a lot of things that need to happen."

          At this time, no announcement has been made regarding Justino's contract situation. She had one fight remaining on her current Invicta FC deal.

          Justino, 29, has not fought since she won the inaugural Invicta FC title in a TKO victory against Marloes Coenen in July 2013. She spent much of 2014 attempting to cut to 135 pounds, in order to secure a lucrative fight against Rousey. An ankle injury late in the year forced the Brazilian to abandon those plans for now.

          Fertitta made it clear to ESPN in recent comments that a bout between Rousey and Justino would only take place at 135 pounds. The UFC does not currently promote a female featherweight division.

          Tweet (6-4) is coming off a first-round TKO against Veronica Rothenhausler at Invicta FC 8 in September. It was the first knockout of the 37-year-old's career. Five of her six career wins have come via submission.