After arguably building the most decorated mixed martial arts career of all time, Cris Cyborg is all set to depart the cage and pick up the sparring gloves, as the Brazilian has just received the contract for her boxing debut. On the same note, she denied having any conversation with PFL about a super match with Kayla Harrison.
I’m very excited to do my first fight in boxing: Cris Cyborg
Aside from being the reigning Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, Cris Cyborg is the only “Grand Slam Champion” in MMA, having won world titles in four major promotions- UFC, Strikeforce, Invicta FC and Bellator.
While she remains the champ, Cyborg recently stated that her Bellator contract is coming to and end, which will soon make her a free agent. The 37-year-old Brazilian wants her next combat sports endeavor to be in the squared circle, as she is revealed to be just an inch away from securing a contract for her boxing debut.
“My team already received the contract, we’ve been back and forth working on the contract, I believe soon, we’ll finish and I’ll sign,” Cyborg told James Lynch on The Catch-Up, “Then you guys are gonna know who and where is gonna be my next fight. I’m very excited to do my first fight in boxing. Very, very excited. It’s one of my dreams.”
Cyborg says “A lot of things have to change” for Kayla Harrison fight
Upon the news of her impending free agent status breaking out, there have been reports that PFL has been trying to land Cyborg into their roster and pit her against undefeated lightweight ace Kayla Harrison. Bellator has also made a counter offer to Harrison to bring her to their promotion to make the super fight happen.
However, Cyborg denied having any conversation with PFL about the Harrison fight but is neither turning it down. However, she does point out some things that need to change in order to make the fight happen.
“We’ve never had any talks with PFL,” the veteran went on, “They never talk about this fight. I know it’s a lot of talks on the internet to make this fight happen with [Harrison], two different ways, but I’ve never had the opportunity to talk about anything.”
“I’ve been talking to [Bellator President] Scott Coker about boxing fights, we’ve talked about how being co-promoters would be really nice. I really love working with Scott Coker and if we have the opportunity to make this fight happen and continue to be with Scott, that would be amazing, co-promote the event, and I think make the fight happen.”
“You see [Harrison’s manager] Ali [Abdelaziz] already been saying like Kayla didn’t sell pay-per-views, it’s not interesting. But I believe the promoters are pushing for the fight to happen but her own manager [isn’t]. I think a lot of things have to change if they really want this fight to happen,” Cyborg concluded, “I’m open to the best fight for my fans.” [H/T MMA Fighting]
