There are only a couple of women who rival Amanda Nunes’ GOAT status: Valentina Shevchenko and Cris Cyborg.
Cris Cyborg is MMA’s ‘Grand Slam’ champion with world titles in UFC, PFL, Bellator, Strikeforce, and Invicta. The legendary featherweight recently dethroned Larissa Pacheco, the only fighter to defeat Kayla Harrison, to become the new PFL champion in October.
Across a 31-fight career which saw her fight Gina Carano, Holly Holm, and Marloes Coenen, Cyborg has only lost to the great Amanda Nunes in the last 19 years, suffering a 51-second TKO at UFC 232 in what was one of the biggest fights in women’s MMA history.
As Cyborg gets ready to retire from MMA with two more fights left in her, the retired Nunes looks to return to the UFC after two years away.
Cris Cyborg says Amanda Nunes ‘still has the fire in her heart’ for UFC comeback
Nunes retired following her 11th UFC title fight win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023.
Fast forward to last month and Nunes confirmed she was going to come out of retirement to fight the winner of the next bantamweight title fight between former foe Julianna Peña and former teammate Kayla Harrison at UFC 316.
“I saw she’s saying that she’s gonna come back and maybe fight between Peña and Kayla,” Cyborg told Bloody Elbow.
“[When] you’re a fighter, you always want to fight, you know?
“I believe she still has the fire in her heart [to] come back. Let’s see what’s gonna be her next exciting fight.”
As for Cyborg, the 39-year-old veteran says she has two PFL fights left before her MMA retirement and plans to win a boxing title someday. Cyborg returns at Fight Night San Jose this weekend to face 4-1 boxer Precious Harris-McCray.
Cris Cyborg: ‘Julianna Peña has everything to beat Kayla Harrison’ at UFC 316
Former PFL Champion Harrison, who Cyborg says ran from her after signing with the UFC, gets a shot at champ Julianna Peña at UFC 316 on June 7th.
Peña’s coming off a controversial split decision victory over Raquel Pennington which saw her reclaim the title she lost to Nunes in their lopsided rematch at UFC 277. One of the most durable fighters on the roster, Peña is the only woman to defeat Nunes in the last decade.
Meanwhile, Harrison is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo and a two-time lightweight champion in the PFL. She’ll have to cut down to the championship weight of 135 lbs for the first time in her career.
“This fight is gonna finish, like quick,” Cyborg said of Peña vs. Harrison.
“I think Julianna Pena has everything to beat Kayla.
“She’ll defend the takedown. With judo people, you can take the back easier. So let’s see [if] Julianna has the best plan for her fight.
“I don’t think she’s gonna finish one punch,” Cyborg said of Peña.
“You don’t see the danger like this between them. But I believe they’re both able to maybe finish by submission, but I believe it’s going to be a great fight. Five rounds is gonna be a little war there.
“Let’s see who has the best cardio [and] who’s gonna be ready mentally. I think it’s very important.”