Former UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg defeated Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 on Saturday night; it was the last fight on her contract, and follows years of a contentious relationship, that saw UFC president Dana White refer to her as Wanderlei Silva in a dress, and most recently, say repeatedly that she is scared of a rematch vs. Amanda Nunes.
At the post-fight press conference, Cyborg expressed her frustration.
Cris Cyborg blasts Dana White for bullying her, not sure about future with the UFC
21
By Damon Martin@ Jul 28, 2019, 7:00am EDT
Share this story
(opens in new window)
(opens in new window)
SHARE
Cris Cyborg can’t say for certain what will come next for her after finishing her UFC contract on Saturday night.
The former featherweight champion earned a lopsided unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated contender Felicia Spencer in the UFC 240 co-main event and now Cyborg will enter a period of free agency as she weighs her options for the future.
In a perfect world, Cyborg would like a rematch with reigning two-division champion Amanda Nunes, who defeated her by knockout last December. As much as she wants that fight, Cyborg couldn’t help but point out the toxic relationship she shared with UFC president Dana White.
A lot of things going on, having a lot of issues, me and UFC, said Cyborg as transcribed by Damon Martin for MMA Fighting. I’m not complain about anything, but it’s not just the fight. Because the people, the media don’t see the things inside but a lot of things have to work on for me to continue to stay.
Everybody knows that I don’t have the best relationship with UFC. I don’t have the best relationship with Dana White. He’s bully me around, bully me on the internet. I suffer bullying everywhere because of this. He never said he’s sorry to me about this.
[He’s] saying I’m scared to fight Amanda Nunes. Saying I don’t want to fight her, this is liar because I text him after the fight saying I want the rematch. This is don’t help me growing my brand. This is damage my brand. And for keeping me working for promotion, I don’t want somebody damage my brand. I want to grow together.
We’re going to have to take a little time and see what is going to be better for me.
White and Cyborg spoke briefly after the fight.
Why are you lying I don’t want the rematch, she said she said to him.. [He said] Cris, you cannot be mad at everything I say in the media.
You don’t have to love the boss, you just have to have respect between both. This is to make everything work together.
In order to get the rematch, Cyborg has to sign a contract, as the UFC will never allow someone to test their worth on the open market while holding a title. For his part, White was hopeful the rematch would happen.
I hope so,” said White, as transcribed by Jon Fuentes for Low Kick MMA. I hope so, White said. If that’s true, if that’s the fight she wants and she really wants that fight, I don’t see how we don’t make a deal. I mean, if you look at my history in 20 years, how many deals have I not made for a fight?
I think there’s been, like, one. There was one fight I didn’t make. We never got the Russian. Fedor. Yeah, I was trying to do that Fedor, Brock fight. That’s the fight I didn’t make.
