Lyoto Machida: Cyborg Will Beat Ronda Rousey ... Just Wait.

Cris "Cyborg" Justino is the REAL DEAL -- and will destroy Ronda Rousey whenever they face off in the octagon ... so says UFC legend Lyoto Machida.

With Cyborg gearing up for her long-awaited UFC debut, we asked if Machida had any intel on his fellow Brazilian ... and he delivered.

"She is the real deal. She can beat anyone," Machida said ... "She can take a punch and also she can GIVE a punch."

Of course, Cyborg has been begging for a fight with Rousey for years -- and when we asked Machida who would emerge victorious he didn't even hesitate.