I think fans know about the rocky relationship between Cris Cyborg and the UFC.
Despite dominating the featherweight division before dropping the belt to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232, Cyborg made it clear that she wasn’t thrilled with the lack of fighters in her division and her overall treatment from the UFC President himself.
However, the 34-year-old has since transitioned over to Bellator MMA and is now the women’s featherweight world champion, but more importantly, Cyborg feels respected in Bellator and is very happy with her current position:
“In the UFC, I had a nice time but hard times, too, making me think, ‘Maybe I’m going to retire. Maybe I’m going to take a break.’ Because there was a lot of stress outside the cage, not just inside,” Cyborg told MMA Junkie. “And I said, ‘I really want to be happy. I love my job.’ And since signing with Bellator, it’s made me more motivated, made me dream again, and I’m happy to work with them.
“It’s not about odds, it’s not about games, it’s not about damage to my brand, it’s not about lies, you know. It’s stressful. It’s not good. Then I started fighting for (Bellator), and now I love, and I’m excited here. I’m happy, and I don’t have stress. I just train and do my best, that’s it.”
Despite Dana White going out of his way to make it seem like Cyborg was afraid to fight Amanda Nunes again following her shocking defeat, the Brazil native remains open to facing the two-division champion once more, and is hoping to avenge her first loss within 13 years:
“When you talk to any fighter, of course they want the rematch,” Cyborg said. “My first loss I never had an opportunity for a rematch. It was my first fight of my career in MMA. I asked for a rematch, but they wouldn’t give it to me. I know at some point, if it’s in God’s plans, I’m going to get the rematch. Later, soon, I don’t know, but I just have to continue focusing, work hard, and if the fight happens, that be cool.”
Check out the full interview where Cyborg continues to discuss her tenure with the UFC, possible retirement, and so much more!