Author: Dan Hiergesell

Add Cris Cyborg to the list of mixed martial arts (MMA) champions looking to crossover into the world of boxing.

Cyborg, who is widely regarded as one of the best female fighters in MMA history, successfully defended her Bellator MMA women’s featherweight title for a fourth time last night (Sat., April 23, 2022) at Bellator 279. The Brazilian veteran defeated Arlene Blencowe via unanimous decision in a rematch from their 2020 meeting, which Cyborg won by way of second-round submission.

It wasn’t a surprise to see Cyborg walk away with the victory considering she was a heavy betting favorite and has lost only to Amanda Nunes since her first pro fight back in 2005, but it was what the Brazilian champ said after the fight that has created some intrigue.

During Bellator 279’s post-fight press conference Cyborg discussed her next potential matchup and believes it will happen inside of the boxing ring. Cyborg has long hinted at a potential crossover matchup, but it became a little more real after last night’s victory.

“For me, my next fight I’d like to do a boxing fight,” said Cyborg (via MMA Junkie). “It’s been one of my dreams. Maybe it’s going to be the next one I’m working on. I don’t know. I don’t know who is going to be next or who Bellator will put in front of me – Cat Zingano, Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison. I like to be (on) the big shows for my fans and enjoy every time I step in there for the title.

“… I’ve been coaching and training boxing for one fight. I’m looking for one fight. I’ve done everything. I did wrestling. I did jiu-jitsu. I did a muay Thai fight. It’s the only one I haven’t done, is boxing. It’s one of my dreams.”

Cyborg, 35, probably would not have been able to even think about a boxing crossover as a member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) roster. But as one of the biggest draws for Bellator MMA and having such a good-standing relationship with Bellator president Scott Coker, Cyborg should be able to venture off into the world of boxing even though she’s under contract.

“I think that’s really going to be up to her,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “I’ll be honest with you and I don’t want to get into too much detail, but it’s always been an agreement that we’ve had with her that she can box at any time in our contract with her. She (could) box whether it was a year ago or eight months ago. She’s always had the ability to box in her agreement.”

What do you think, fight fans? Do you want to see Cyborg take a boxing match her next time out?

Let’s hear it!

Jake Paul was not impressed with Tommy Fury’s decision win over Daniel Bocianski on Saturday night and he let “TNT” know it.

Fury, who sparked a ESPN+ PPV main card led by his brother, Tyson Fury, looked great in his six-round fight with Bocianski. It had been eight months since we last saw Fury compete inside of the boxing ring and he delivered on arrival. From a stiff lead jab to powerful combinations in the later rounds, he had his way with Bocianski.

After the fight, Fury took to the microphone and issued an official callout of Paul. The two fighters were expected to meet inside of the ring last December, but an injury to Fury forced him out of the fight. Fury was replaced by former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and the rest is history.

Paul, who never shies away from verbal conflict, quickly offered a response to Fury’s performance on Saturday and subsequent callout.

“Congrats on beating a 10-1 fighter,” said Paul via MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. “But that stadium was empty. When I fight the stadium is full. When Tommy fights no one gives a f—k. And that’s in his home country. Let’s see how Anderson Silva’s event does.”

Paul has hinted at a possible mixed martial arts (MMA) crossover, but he has already announced his planned return to boxing this coming August. It would make sense for Paul and Fury to sign another contract and finally settle their beef. They both bring a ton of social media followers to the table and already have a history of promotion driving their matchup.

That said, maybe Paul is serious about taking his chances against former UFC middleweight champion and MMA legend Anderson Silva. “Spider” is scheduled to box fellow MMA fighter Bruno Machado this coming May as part of Floyd Mayweather’s card in Dubai. If he wins in devastating fashion maybe “Problem Child” pushes for that fight.

What do you think, Maniacs? Should Paul book another fight with Fury or see what Silva does next month?

Sound off!

Reigning UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira believes Justin Gaethje is wasting his time trying to win the mental game ahead of their upcoming title fight next month at UFC 274.

Oliviera, who is coming off his first official title defense with a submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269, has now won his last 10 trips to the Octagon. That happens to include nine stoppages and two title fight wins. To say that “Do Bronx” is on cruise control right now would be an understatement.

That said, Gaethje will be looking to stop the rolling train when he meets Oliveira in a lightweight title fight at UFC 274. It will be the second undisputed UFC title shot for “Highlight,” who is coming off a Fight of the Year candidate opposite Michael Chandler at UFC 268. While Gaethje isn’t usually the type of fighter to talk trash about an opponent he has said a few things along the way that have diminished the Octagon accomplishments of Oliveira.

Luckily, Oliveira has thick skin. The reigning UFC lightweight champion is never going to let words distract him from a fight and he hopes to prove Gaethje wrong when they meet in just a few weeks.

“Justin Gaethje is coming up with a lot of bullsh*t,” said Oliveira during a recent interview with Brazilian media outlet Olhar da Luta (transcription via MMA Clips Brazil). “I think that’s what he’s trying to do, to win the mind game. But that makes no difference to me. I learned that we have two ears to listen but we also have to let it out… If he thinks he can beat me in a standing fight, he can try to knock me out. If he thinks he’s a better wrestler than me, he can take me down too.”

There haven’t been too many promotional efforts by UFC for this lightweight clash between Oliveira and Gaethje, but fight fans already know what they’re going to get. Gaethje is easily one of the most violent and offensively aggressive fighters in the history of the sport while Oliveira is UFC’s all-time leader in finishes. It’s a recipe for absolute chaos.

We’ll have to wait and see if Gaethje’s mental game has any impact on the fight itself.

UFC 274 will go down on May 7 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Oliveira vs. Gaethje will serve as the main event with a women’s strawweight title fight between current champion Rose Namajunas and top contender Carla Esparza holding down the co-headliner spot. Not to mention the main card clash between lightweight favorites Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson.

For more UFC 274 fight card news click here.

Tyson Fury knows how to strike while the iron is hot, which is why the undefeated boxing champion is already discussing his next move following his retirement fight on Saturday night.

Fury, who defended his WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles with a spectacular knockout win over Dillian Whyte, brought reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou into the ring to announce a future “hybrid fight.” That bout may not culminate until 2023, but it’s a tremendous idea on paper.

In addition to Ngannou, Fury also has his sights set on another crossover to pro wrestling. During his post-fight press conference (watch HERE), “Gypsy King” revealed that he’s interested in making an appearance at WWE’s upcoming event in Cardiff, Wales, this September to settle a score with Drew McIntyre.

“Don’t rule me out of fighting there. You might see me at SummerSlam coming up soon,” said Fury.

“I’ve got to speak to Vince [McMahon] and the boys. Maybe make this happen. I know Drew McIntyre has been saying a lot of things about me. I have to knock him out.

“I’d love to be at Cardiff, I’d love to be back at centre stage in the UK, especially for the wrestling. I enjoyed it last time in Saudi Arabia, it was fantastic. To come here and do it would be phenomenal.

“I’m definitely gonna make a bit of contact and see, can we make that SummerSlam thing a reality?”

Remember, Fury made a previous WWE appearance at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view (PPV) back in Oct. 2019. He ended up fighting Braun Strowman and eventually won the match via count out. Check out some of the highlights below:

It is unknown at this time what Fury will actually do next, but the possibilities are endless. From fighting Francis Ngannou to competing in the WWE again, “Gypsy King” can do pretty much what he wants now that he has put his professional boxing career to rest.

That said, never count out the possibility of an official return to the ring. Fury has made it known that once he retires he’ll “never come back,” but with names likes Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua floating out there it may be hard to stay away.

Francis Ngannou joined Tyson Fury to announce a planned “hybrid fight” last night in London, England, but now the reigning UFC heavyweight champion is revealing more information about the potential superfight.

Ngannou, who is still recovering from knee surgery following his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 earlier this year, is hoping to be cleared to fight by the end of 2022. It is unknown at this time if “Predator” will re-up his contract with UFC as negotiations remain ongoing, but he should be ready to compete in one form or another once his knee is healed.

Following his in-ring announcement with Fury, who had just decimated Dillian Whyte with a vicious sixth-round knockout (see it HERE), Ngannou caught up with BT Sport to discuss the “hybrid fight” in more detail.

“Definitely sometime next year, 2023, that fight will happen,” said Ngannou about his potential clash with Fury. “By the end of this year we’re going to sort this out and get settled. Ready to go.”

Ngannou was later asked what he thought about a fight with “Gypsy King” on African soil and the UFC champ’s eyes lit up.

“Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou in Africa will be the best one,” said Ngannou. “Rumble in the Jungle 2.”

Ngannou, who trained boxing before he ever moved over to MMA, is widely considered the most devasting knockout artist in combat sports today. The UFC heavyweight king has scored knockout finishes over the likes of Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. It’s unknown at this time if his recent knee surgery will affect his way of fighting, but “Predator” should remain a force to be reckoned with.

That said, Ngannou will be entering dangerous grounds in a “hybrid fight” with Fury. Even if the two men wear MMA gloves “Gypsy King” should be heavily favorited. He’s a rangier fighter with exceptional experience inside of the boxing ring and possesses cardio for days. Ngannou would have to really lean on his punching power to escape that matchup in one piece.

What do you think, Maniacs? Will Fury vs. Ngannou happen in 2023? Is Africa a suitable host location?

Sound off!

Jessica Andrade delivered the goods last night (Sat., April 23, 2022) at UFC Vegas 52 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the former UFC women’s strawweight champion made a big return to the division with a first-round submission finish over Amanda Lemos. It was the first-ever standing arm-triangle stoppage in UFC history (highlights HERE).

In addition to the women’s strawweight headliner, UFC Vegas 52 produced a list of exciting finishes and memorable performances. Check them out below and let us know which one stood out the most:

• Tyson Pedro returned after a three-year layoff to score a first-round knockout finish over light heavyweight veteran Ike Villanueva (see it HERE)
• Qileng Aori made good on his UFC bantamweight debut with a first-round TKO finish over former Cage Warriors standout Cameron Else
• Welterweight veteran Sergey Khandozhko made his return to the Octagon to score a second-round TKO finish over Dwight Grant (highlights HERE)
• Marc-Andre Barriault banked his first career submission finish with a first-round guillotine choke over Jordan Wright
• Featherweight contender Charles Jourdain literally choked the pants off of former lightweight Lando Vannata (watch HERE)
• Clay Guida fell victim to a kneebar submission from lightweight contender Claudio Puelles, who now has three of the same submission finish in just six Octagon appearances

In order to sift through the action and see which fighters took home an extra $50,000, we take a closer look at the official UFC Vegas 52 bonus winners below:

• Fight of the Night: Sergey Khandozhko vs. Dwight Grant
• Performance of the Night: Jessica Andrade
• Performance of the Night: Claudio Puelles

For complete UFC Vegas 52 results and coverage click here.