Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Bellator CEO Scott Coker declares Cris Cyborg as the undisputed ‘GOAT’ of women’s MMA.
There is already an ongoing debate about who the “GOAT” is in women’s MMA. But for Bellator CEO Scott Coker, it is a no-brainer.
Speaking to MMA Junkie on Thursday during the Bellator 225 pre-fight press conference, Coker had nothing but praises for former women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, who just entered free agency following her release from the UFC early this month.
“Let’s face it. I don’t care what anybody says. Me speaking about the female divisions that basically Strikeforce created in mixed martial arts when nobody else would do it, she is the GOAT of female MMA – period,” Coker said.
Cyborg experienced her first loss in 13 years at the hands of Amanda Nunes at UFC 232, when she was knocked out in less than a minute. Even so, Coker puts her ahead of “The Lioness.”
“Because you beat Muhammad Ali doesn’t make you Muhammad Ali, is how I feel,” he said. “I saw her fight when she was 24, 25, 26. Those are years Cyborg was fighting for me, and she was just a beast.
“I wish we could rewind those tapes and check it out, because she’s a killer,” he continued. “She’s still a killer. But for me to say that she’s not the greatest of all time and someone else is? That’s ridiculous.”
Coker says he’s interested in signing Cyborg, once he has “all the i’s dotted.”
Cyborg last fought at UFC 240 late last month against Felicia Spencer. She won via unanimous decision.