Dana White has said Amanda Nunes wants to rematch Cris Cyborg after her fight with Holly Holm at UFC 239.
Despite decisively winning their first fight last year at UFC 232, UFC president Dana White has stated Amanda Nunes wants to rematch Cris Cyborg.
Nunes crushed Cyborg’s 13-year unbeaten run in just 51 seconds at UFC 232 last year, knocking out Cyborg to win the UFC featherweight title on the night. Although Cyborg clearly stated her hopes of getting a rematch, the UFC booked Nunes to defend her bantamweight title against Holly Holm at UFC 239 next month.
Speaking at the UFC 238 post-fight press conference, White said that Nunes is also very keen for a rematch with Cyborg.
”She wants that Cyborg fight bad, so if Cyborg is interested, we can do it,” he said. “If Cyborg’s not interested, like I said, it’s okay. Not saying anything about Cyborg. I’m just saying that’s just the way it played out. But she’s ready willing and able. If she beats Holly, she wants to fight Cyborg. So if Cyborg wants the fight, it’s there.”
White was then read a tweet from Cyborg that said she was denied an immediate rematch with Nunes. The UFC president laughed it off and said Nunes wanted to defend her bantamweight belt, then go back to featherweight to rematch Cyborg.
“Hey Cyborg,” White chuckled. “Amanda wanted to fight at 135 again, defend her belt there. She’s fighting Holly. Then go back to 145 to face Cyborg.”
There is also the issue of Cyborg’s impending free agency. After her fight with Felicia Spencer at UFC 240, Cyborg will an exclusive negotiating window with the UFC regarding a new contract. If that expires with no dea, she is a free agent and can sign with any promotion.
Nunes will aim to defend her bantamweight title against Holm in the co-main event UFC 239 on July 6th.