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BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut – For those interested in the place of the great featherweight Cris Cyborg, an answer could come sooner than later. Bellator President Scott Coker told MMA Fighting that, although there was still work to be done, he hoped that Cyborg would soon be bound to a contract with his promotion.
"It's not far from complete, but we're really in the game," said Coker after an event promoting the Bellator 225 show: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2. "We think it would be a great addition to our 145-pound weight class. I think she's fighting [current featherweight champion] Julia Budd would be an extraordinary event, but it's not done yet. Hope we will have news in the next 10 days.
Coker was quick to show his initial interest in Cyborg. Just minutes after her last win over Felicia Spencer on July 27, Coker used her phone to send a congratulatory tweet. However, given the context of the situation, the meaning of the message was deeper than a mere compliment. By that time, Cyborg had announced that she would oppose her contract to hit the free agent market, and Coker, who, with the note, posted a backtrack. photo of them together, made it clear that there were meeting ideas.
On Thursday, Coker confirmed to MMA Fighting that Bellator had received a letter stating that the UFC had foreged any exclusive trading window with Cyborg, opening the door for discussions to place it in the fold.
Yet he has competition. Cyborg seems to be in great demand in the world of combat, with other organizations, including ONE and Rizin, expected to be interested in its services. Formerly considered the best fighter in the world, Cyborg was finally dethroned in December by a defeat in the round of 16 against Amanda Nunes, a defeat ending a series of 20 victories. She bounced back with a unanimous win over Spencer on her return last month.
While Cyborg has publicly stated its interest in a rematch for Nunes, UFC President Dana White has said she does not want to participate in the fight, continuing to oppose her.
As a result of these latest comments, Cyborg called Mr. White "a bully" and said that she hoped to continue her career with a more respectful promoter of her. She and Coker were in the same business from April 2009 to December 2011, when Cyborg fought five times under the Strikeforce banner. More recently, Cyborg told Brazilian store Globo Esporte that it was hoping to sign a new contract on September 9, placing it within reach of Coker's window.
"She's talking to a few other leagues who are trying to get the best deal, but I feel like she and I've always had good connections and good relationships and hope she's will fight at Bellator during his next fight, "Coker said.
Cyborg is represented by Paradigm Sports Management, which includes fighters such as James Gallagher, Michael Page and Dillon Danis competing in Bellator.
If Cyborg signs with Bellator, she should be directly involved in a title fight with Budd, who has won 11 straight victories, including three consecutive defenses of the Bellator title.
Meanwhile, Coker also said that he had an interest in talking to Cat Zingano, a long-time competitor, recently released by the UFC.
Zingano (10-4), who has already fought Ronda Rousey for the UFC belt, has lost four of his last five fights. One of them, Ketlen Vieira, made a split decision on his opponent, the current No. 2, and another arrived with a bizarre arrival when Zingano took a pinch in the eyes during a coup. Megan Anderson's foot and could not continue.
Coker stated that it had not received confirmation that it was released from its contract with UFC (as some include windows or other corresponding clauses), but was otherwise willing to consider the possibility of adding Zingano , able to fight both as bantamweight and featherweight.
"We'll have to make sure, but if it's totally free, we should have a conversation," he said.
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