Bellator CEO Scott Coker has been vocal about his adulation for featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. And if it were up to him, a rematch with Amanda Nunes would be the next viable option.
“There is no denying that Cyborg is the best fighter of all time,” Coker told Combate. “She was undefeated for 13 years, who else did that? A defeat cannot define her legacy, and I, as the guy who started the first female division in MMA history, have to say this: Cyborg is the best and is still fighting at a high level, demolishing opponents in the same way that (she) demolished at the time of Strikeforce.
“Cyborg’s speed and accuracy are much better, seeing the combinations she uses is phenomenal. She is the female version of Mike Tyson and nothing is more fair than having the rematch with the only fighter who knocked her out.”
Coker says he is onboard with a part two between the two elite female fighters. But as long as Nunes is signed with the UFC, he doesn’t see it happening.
“If the UFC ever wants to do it, we’re in,” he said. “But my opinion is that it will never happen because they have a lot to lose. The only way for this rematch to happen is if Amanda Nunes ever becomes a free agent and Cyborg still wants this fight.
“I don’t know how many fights Amanda still has in the contract, but if she is going to depend on the UFC to release, I find it difficult. It’s sad, because this is the struggle that people want to see. If it were up to me, I would do anything to happen, but that’s not the case. I already know the answer that would come from the UFC.”
Nunes dealt Cyborg her first loss in 13 years via first-round KO when they fought at UFC 232 in 2018. Cyborg signed with Bellator in January and now holds the company’s 145-pound women’s title.
About the author
