Tag: Cris Cyborg Justino

Kayla Harrison Feels Wins Over Cyborg, Nunes Give Her GOAT Status

Kayla Harrison feels she needs to eventually square off with Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Amanda Nunes to claim GOAT status. Harrison recently re-signed with the PFL following a lengthy free agency process in which she flirted with the idea of signing with top promotions such as Bellator and the UFC. Bellator offered the top deal…

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Kayla Harrison feels she needs to eventually square off with Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Amanda Nunes to claim GOAT status.

Harrison recently re-signed with the PFL following a lengthy free agency process in which she flirted with the idea of signing with top promotions such as Bellator and the UFC. Bellator offered the top deal for Harrison before PFL matched and ultimately signed her to a new contract.

Harrison has recently said that earning GOAT status is attainable in the PFL, despite some critics noting her alleged lack of competition in the league. She is undefeated in her MMA career and is coming off of another championship-winning season in the PFL.

During a recent interview with The Schmo, Harrison laid out her roadmap towards potentially earning the title of the greatest combat sports athlete of all time.

“I just think I have to keep putting one foot in front of the other,” Harrison said. “I think I definitely need to beat Cyborg. I’d really like to fight Amanda, beat Amanda if I’m going to go ahead and say it. That’s obviously in the cards. I gotta win a couple more titles. If I win belts in every major organization or beat champions in every major organization, then does that make me the greatest of all time?”

Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison (Image Credit: PFL MMA)

Harrison has dominated her competition to this point in her professional career, most recently finishing Taylor Guardado and Genah Fabian. She is expected to get a step up in competition this year after the league signed former Bellator champion Julia Budd for the 2022 season.

Harrison had previously been coy regarding a fight with Nunes but seems more open to it now after Nunes’ departure from American Top Team. She and Justino have also gone back-and-forth on social media in recent weeks, ramping up talks of a fight between them.

Harrison will have the opportunity to silence the critics in 2022 and beyond. If she’s able to defeat top female fighters such as Nunes and Justino, it would be hard to argue against the notion that she deserves to be in the all-time great conversation.

How do you think Kayla Harrison would fare against Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg?

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Manager Shares The Only Way Harrison Can Fight Cyborg After PFL Deal

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says talks of his client Kayla Harrison fighting Cris “Cyborg” Justino could theoretically happen, despite Harrison’s new deal with the PFL. Harrison concluded her free agency by re-signing with the PFL, despite lucrative offers from Bellator and the UFC. In addition to signing Harrison, the PFL announced that they intend to…

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MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says talks of his client Kayla Harrison fighting Cris “Cyborg” Justino could theoretically happen, despite Harrison’s new deal with the PFL.

Harrison concluded her free agency by re-signing with the PFL, despite lucrative offers from Bellator and the UFC. In addition to signing Harrison, the PFL announced that they intend to launch a “super fight division” to garner the attention of some of the best fighters around the sport.

Talks of a fight between Harrison and Cyborg began when Cyborg defeated Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271. Harrison was a guest of Bellator President Scott Coker to watch Cyborg put on a dominant performance.

Tensions between Harrison and Cyborg have skyrocketed in recent weeks. This was after Harrison challenged Cyborg to a fight at American Top Team before getting blocked by her on Twitter.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Abdelaziz explained how a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight can still happen down the line, which is for the reigning Bellator featherweight champion to jump ship.

“Listen, Cyborg is a Bellator fighter. Kayla is a PFL fighter,” Abdelaziz said. Whatever super fight is gonna happen, it’s gonna happen with someone inside PFL. It’s not going to happen with someone in Bellator, because it’s a completely different entity. At the end of the day, I know both people, I’m good with both people, but it’s very hard to get two promoters to sit down and talk. I can be in the middle if they ask me to, but at the end of the day, PFL people fight people in the PFL. To be honest with you, I don’t know of any other champion in another promotion who would fight Kayla.”

Abdelaziz went on to question whether or not a fight with Harrison is a matchup that Cyborg would want.

“I don’t know if she does, I don’t know if she doesn’t. I just think people can say things, but when a contract is drawn, we don’t know what kind of move you’re going to make. You don’t know how you’re going to feel, what kind of butterfly you’re going to feel. One thing I can tell you, [Kayla’s] the greatest fighter of all time. It’s not Ronda, it’s not Amanda Nunes, she is. She’s the most dominant.”

Harrison is getting ready to defend her women’s lightweight title in the upcoming 2022 PFL season. She defeated Taylor Guardado last October for her second consecutive championship in the league.

As for Cyborg, she’s set to face Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 in April. She’s won five straight since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232.

If a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight will happen this year, it would have to take place in a cross-promotion event. But according to Abdelaziz, the only way the fight ever happens would be if Cyborg joined the PFL. For now, any conflict between Harrison and Cyborg will only take place from afar.

Do you think Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg will eventually happen?

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Cris Cyborg Responds To Cat Zingano’s Allegations Of Drug Test Dodging

Bellator featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino has hit back at Cat Zingano after she accused the champion of potentially doping. Justino is expected to potentially face Zingano for her next appearance in the cage. But, Zingano has alleged that she has a matchup with another opponent set in March as a No. 1 contender fight. […]

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Bellator featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino has hit back at Cat Zingano after she accused the champion of potentially doping.

Justino is expected to potentially face Zingano for her next appearance in the cage. But, Zingano has alleged that she has a matchup with another opponent set in March as a No. 1 contender fight.

Zingano has accused Justino of dodging drug tests ahead of a potential return to the cage later this year. This prompted quite the heated response from the featherweight champ.

“Cat Zingano, why are you lying?” Justino said. “I haven’t refused any drug tests. I’m ready whenever you are. Behind the scenes you keep saying to Bellator you need more time to prepare for me, you need a different opponent first, now you go on social media with lies and smear campaigns and excuses? Sad.” (h/t BJPenn)

Justino last competed against Sinead Kavanagh back in November, earning a first-round knockout. It was speculated that Justino could potentially face Kayla Harrison next, but Harrison’s free agency appears to be headed in the PFL’s favor and not Bellator’s.

Zingano, a former UFC title challenger, has yet to fight for the belt since making the move to Bellator. Following a loss to Megan Anderson in her UFC finale, she’s earned back-to-back wins over Olivia Parker and Gabrielle Holloway.

Justino has had a complicated legacy in MMA. She tested positive for steroids earlier in her career and had her license suspended to compete in California.

It’s unclear if and when Justino and Zingano will settle their beef in the Bellator cage, but it’s sure to be quite the buildup to their fight.

What are your thoughts on the Cat Zingano/Cris Cyborg controversy?

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Cat Zingano Accuses Cris Cyborg Of Dodging Drug Tests

Bellator fighter and former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano thinks Cris “Cyborg” Justino may be doping again ahead of their potential fight.

Zingano hasn’t fought since her first-round submission over Olivia Parker at Bellator 256. After an up-and…

Cat Zingano, Cris "Cyborg" Justino

Bellator fighter and former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano thinks Cris “Cyborg” Justino may be doping again ahead of their potential fight.

Zingano hasn’t fought since her first-round submission over Olivia Parker at Bellator 256. After an up-and-down tenure in the UFC, she is undefeated through two fights in the Bellator cage.

Zingano is on the rise in the Bellator featherweight division and could face the champion, Justino sooner rather than later. Justino most recently earned a vicious first-round knockout over Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271.

While Justino is widely considered to be one of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time, her legacy remains complicated. She’s tested positive for steroids in the past and even had her license suspended in California.

Fighters such as former UFC champion Ronda Rousey have criticized and accused Justino of doping. UFC president Dana White has also had his fair share of harsh comments directed at Justino and her history with performance-enhancing drugs.

Wednesday, Zingano aimed at Justino with the following tweet.

“Hearing [Justino] is refusing to drug test,” Zingano tweeted.

Zingano could be on the verge of a matchup with Cyborg with another win. The two had informally agreed to fight one another next, but now Zingano is alluding to her next matchup being set for the spring and a potential fight with the featherweight champ in the summer.

“I have been told my opponent and that it’s a number one contender match set for March 11,” Zingano said. “That’ll give someone plenty of time to get their shit together enough to fight me by summer.”

Zingano is one of the few Bellator featherweights who hasn’t competed against Justino in the cage. The promotion was in preliminary talks to sign PFL champ Kayla Harrison to the roster, but it sounds like Harrison will likely re-sign with the PFL in free agency.

Justino has yet to respond to Zingano’s comments and allegations.

What do you think of Cat Zingano’s allegations?

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Cris Cyborg Joins Benjamin Bush To Empower African Youth Through MMA

Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, Cris “Cyborg” Justino, aided the launch of Africa’s first and only Women’s MMA Commission.

Last November, Cyborg attended Mixed Martial Arts Zambia’s first Symposium and helped make the event a success.

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Cris Cyborg and MMA Zambia President Benjamin Bush

Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, Cris “Cyborg” Justino, aided the launch of Africa’s first and only Women’s MMA Commission.

Last November, Cyborg attended Mixed Martial Arts Zambia’s first Symposium and helped make the event a success.

MMA Zambia President Benjamin Bush could not be more excited about the Symposium’s turnout.

“This was massive because Cris for us represents everything we are about in terms of female empowerment and gender-based violence awareness. And it was the perfect opportunity for us to launch the Women’s Commission, which is the first in Africa,” Bush commented about the event.

The efforts of MMA Zambia to promote positive change and introduce more people to the sport captured Cyborg’s attention.

“So, this project helps to empower vulnerable youth and women and to bring awareness to the sport in this country as a tool for positive social change for its people and their communities,” said Cyborg, according to SunSport.

She wants to help the organization get more women and girls in Zambia to participate in MMA. While in Zambia, Cris Cyborg took pleasure in leading a self-defense class at one of the orphanages.

Cris Cyborg at orphanage in Zambia
Cris Cyborg, Photo Credit: SunSport

“It is this part of my life that I enjoy the most, helping others wherever I am and using my experience and platform as an example to give hope to people of having a better life,” Cyborg continued.

And who better to learn self-defense from than one of the greatest women mixed martial artists to grace the sport?

A Fighting Chance

Benjamin Bush and Members of MMA Zambia
Benjamin Bush and Members of MMA Zambia Photo Credit: SunSport

Unfortunately, much of the youth in Africa are subject to undesirable living conditions.

On top of poverty, child labor, and drug and alcohol abuse, gender-based violence against women and girls is a widespread crisis in Africa. When you give people the foundation to protect and better themselves, it can really make a difference in the community.

Benjamin Bush has faith that MMA can turn the tide of their lives.

“MMA Zambia believes that the sport of MMA can change lives not just through athletic endeavor but also through its inspirational qualities, the values within martial arts practice, the work ethic and sportsmanship within combat sports and the personalities the sport will create,” says Bush.

Mixed martial arts can empower the young hearts of Africa by showing them the fundamentals of MMA. There is much more to the sport than winning and losing.

In comparison, Cyborg’s desire to be a champion of her people signifies the former UFC champion’s ultimate goal.

“Being a world champion is a big responsibility,” Cyborg said. “Whatever place God puts you in, if he makes you a champion, it’s not to be champion for yourself, it’s for something else, whether it be to make a difference in the world and to change people’s lives, but I want to be Champion of Hearts for my people.”

Cyborg and Bush’s goals are aligned and together they have already created significant positive change for the young people of Zambia and MMA in Africa.

What do you think of Cris Cyborg and Benjamin Bush’s efforts to change the lives of the young people in Africa?

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Katie Taylor Open To Crossover Boxing Fights With Cyborg, Holm

Katie Taylor has been on a roll in her career in the boxing ring so far, and she has her eyes on superfights with Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Holly Holm.

Taylor is 20-0 in her professional career with six knockouts, having most recently defeated Firu…

Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor has been on a roll in her career in the boxing ring so far, and she has her eyes on superfights with Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Holly Holm.

Taylor is 20-0 in her professional career with six knockouts, having most recently defeated Firuza Sharipova to defend her five lightweight titles. She’s also been in talks to potentially fight fellow boxing star Amanda Serrano in 2022.

But Taylor has big plans for her future in the ring, which includes potential crossovers against the likes of Justino and Holm. During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Taylor addressed the prospects of MMA-Boxing crossover fights and continuing to make history.

“I know there was mention of those fights,” Taylor said. “But I don’t think we ever seriously talked about it. Obviously, their names came up over the last few years and there’s still huge possibilities that those fights can happen.

“If they’re the fights that people want to see, I’d absolutely love to be involved.”

Holm on paper would likely provide a tougher test for Taylor than Justino, as she accumulated a 33-2 record before transitioning to MMA. While Justino has elite striking, she has yet to fight in the boxing ring despite Bellator CEO Scott Coker confirming that boxing promoters have been interested in her.

For now, Taylor awaits her next fight in the ring, which likely could come against Serrano, who won this weekend on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley 2 card.

How do you think Katie Taylor would match up with the biggest names in women’s MMA?

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