Cris Cyborg is staying with Bellator. The promotion announced on Thursday that the reigning featherweight champion had re-signed a multi-fight deal.
“I’m very happy that I was able to come to terms with Bellator and remain the face of their women’s featherweight division,” said Cyborg in a press release. “Scott Coker is a promoter that I’ve worked with and respected for many years. He’s done so much to further women’s MMA and give us a platform to showcase our skills.”
Since signing with Bellator in January 2020, Cyborg has been undefeated inside the cage, successfully defending her belt four consecutive times against Julia Budd at Bellator 238 and most recently Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279. Before joining forces with Coker and co., she held championship reigns in UFC, Invicta FC, Strikeforce as well as two boxing matches against Simone Silva and Gabrielle Holloway where she emerged victorious both times.
The news of her re-signing prompted speculation over which top contender from the 145lbs division will be next on her radar: Cat Zingano or Sara McMann? Both have enjoyed success under the banner after transitioning from their previous careers at UFC rival bantamweight divisions.
“When making this decision it was important to me that I was signing with the organization that I felt had the biggest names and top talent at 145 pounds for me to challenge myself against,” said Cyborg referring to her choice of staying put at Bellator despite receiving offers from other organizations during her MMA free agency period – thus reaffirming its place as one of MMA’s premier destinations for female fighters looking for competition worthy opponents ready join them atop of their respective weight classes’ rankings ladder .
While further details were not disclosed by either parties such as how many fights are part of Cyclops’ new contract or who will be challenging titleholder first when she returns into action under its umbrella; we can only assume it won’t be long before we find out who gets chosen first between Zingano or McMann – if not both!
Comments:
What a joke
You don’t know the first thing about MMA
Cris Cyborg signed with Bellator because she couldn’t handle UFC’s competition
Laughable – they’re paying her millions to get beat up!
That’s hilarious, when was the last time she won a fight?
She hasn’t won in years and yet you think this is a good move? Unbelievable.
You obviously don’t understand what an accomplishment it is for women to make it in MMA. Cris setting this example by signing with Bellator is huge!