Cris Cyborg’s UFC Contract is Set to Run Out… But She’s Not Eager to Negotiate With ‘Liar’ Dana White…
Before getting obliterated by Amanda Nunes in brutal style, most people would have agreed that she was the greatest female fighter of all time. Now ‘The Lionness’ surely holds that mantle but Cyborg is still a legend in her own right. Justino is a beast who physically dominates nearly every woman who stands in front of her.
She’s looking to bounce back at UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, against the young upstart Felicia Spencer. If she wins she’ll be able to push for a title shot again. That is… if she wants to. The Spencer fight is officially the final fight on her contract. And she’s stayed silent about potentially signing a new deal with the world’s biggest MMA promotion.
Dana White is a big part of why she’s sceptical about staying. So many promises have broken, so many insults have been thrown and so many lies have been told. The last part especially is what may have damaged any chance of her signing a new deal.
Lies
Cyborg should be a much bigger star. A former Strikeforce and Invicta champion, the Brazilian is a force of nature that few female fighters can stand up against. However, the UFC has never allowed her to blossom, failing to build a division around her as they did at bantamweight with Ronda Rousey. Cyborg is unimpressed with the ‘lie’ that she’s afraid to rematch with Amanda Nunes.
”I’m just laughing at everything Dana is saying,” she said during an interview with MMA Junkie.“It’s all a lie. Everything is a lie. I just wait for Saturday and after this fight for sure we’re going to see. My team will talk to the UFC and will figure it out. And for sure it’s going to be the best opportunity for myself and do my best for me.”
Honesty
For Cyborg, honesty is everything. In a sport where you literally go out to damage your opponent, you don’t want to deal with liars and people who take advantage of you. Unfortunately, White has destroyed his reputation in her eyes.
”I always just speak the truth,” Cyborg said. “I never lie about anything. And just he’s always lying. I just keep to myself doing what I’m doing and doing what is right and then just keep it right and know the truth is going to come out. He’s doing this all my career. I just laugh when I see it. Just laughing.”
Big Move
What is next for the Brazilian legend? Right now, we can only speculate. She may yet sign a new deal with the UFC. There’s the possibility of stepping across to Bellator too. They’re not as glamorous, but they do have an actual functioning featherweight division. Or Cyborg could transition to boxing with Cecilia Braekhus a long-term target.
”I’m going to break it down after my next fight,” she said. “I’m focused for Saturday and I have nothing to say. I don’t need to connect with him, he’s not my friend or my family, it’s just business,” she said. “It’s just work. I always enjoy business because I love my job. It doesn’t matter, there’s a lot of people you have to work together, see the people every day even if you don’t like. It’s a job. Just keep going and do your business.”
