Bellator MMA women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg remains in negotiations with the promotion, and while nothing is certain on where she’ll fight next, when appears to be another matter.
Cyborg (26-2, 1NC) last defended her 145lb title in April of 2022, picking up a decision win over Australia’s Arlene Blencowe. Since then, she has tried her hand at boxing, going 2-0 last year — but a return to the cage has yet to transpire.
Bellator CEO Scott Coker has suggested the promotion’s 145lb division for women might not survive without the Brazilian star. But he also appears confident that a deal will be reached with one of the biggest names in women’s combat sports history.
As for Cyborg, she isn’t saying where she’ll land just yet. She just wants the biggest fights, she told Cageside Press ahead of an advanced screening of Catching Lightning, a four-part docuseries from Showtime Sports focusing on former UFC fighter and convicted heist mastermine Lee Murray.
“I want to do the big fights for my fans, and what’s the big fights the fans would like to watch? Kayla Harrison, Cat Zingano,” Cryborg told us. “I’m training, I’m ready, we’ll wait for the next opportunity.”
As for when that opportunity comes, whether it be in Bellator MMA or the PFL, “end of the summer, for sure I’m going to be in the mix.”
Cyborg was of course watching when Cat Zingano went the distance with Leah McCourt late last month, with “Alpha” Cat winning via decision. Zingano and Cyborg had long been circling one another, but a fight between the pair has yet to materialize. Zingano has cited drug testing concerns, and now, Cyborg’s contract status, as an obstacle.
The champion, meanwhile, is hoping a deal will finally get done for the pair to face off.
“It was a great fight by Cat Zingano and Leah McCourt. If Leah had the best plan, I think she was maybe going to win the fight,” said Cyborg. “It was a great fight, congratulations Cat Zingano. Maybe finally this fight can happen.”
“Yeah, it was a great fight for the featherweights,” Cyborg added.
Watch our full interview with Bellator MMA women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg above.
