Dana White says the UFC is open to a number of options regarding Cris Cyborg, including a one-fight deal for her to fight Amanda Nunes. Cyborg’s last fight on her current contract comes this weekend at UFC 240.
Las Vegas, NV — Dana White believes Cris Cyborg doesn’t want to fight Amanda Nunes. That she’s scared to lose a second time to the woman who took her title. It’s something the UFC President told TMZ earlier this week, and something he reiterated Wednesday at a UFC press event in Las Vegas.
That’s curious timing, given Cyborg, one of the promotion’s biggest female stars, is fighting this weekend at UFC 240. She’ll feature in the co-main event of the PPV card against ex-Invicta FC champ Felicia Spencer. Not exactly the moment you’d normally suggest one of your stars is “scared” to fight anyone.
Cyborg, of course, asked for a rematch with Nunes almost immediately after her loss to “The Lioness.” It was White who was cool to the idea of it coming immediately, calling it “a pretty convincing win” for Nunes.
However, it seems White has come around, and he said Wednesday that “I believe my guys have been trying to get a deal done with her.” It’s Cyborg, he claims, who is holding things up.
“Obviously if we’re trying to make the Amanda Nunes fight, we’re trying to get a new deal done too,” White told reporters including Cageside Press. He’s absolutely interested in keeping Cyborg around. “Yes of course. It’s not like we’re trying to chase her out of here. We’re trying to get something done, we’re trying to get another fight. Or if she wanted to, she could do a one-fight deal, and fight Amanda.”
A one fight deal? “Sure.” The problem is, “she doesn’t want to fight Amanda Nunes. Period. End of story.”
Before you hold your breath, a one-fight deal would come with a champion’s clause, meaning Cyborg would have to keep defending the title if she won it. “She wouldn’t be a free agent. She’d have the belt, and there’s a clause that goes along with the belt. So it wouldn’t really be a [free agent situation].”
As for Cyborg’s fight with Spencer, White gave his two cents. “You have Felicia who is undefeated, 7-0, going in against the toughest test of her entire career. But at the same time, Cyborg’s coming off a devastating knockout loss. I don’t know. Obviously a huge fight for her, and a huge fight for Cyborg.” The question is, will the featherweight legend actually get to a second fight with Nunes with a win?
