Cyborg: I don’t want to fight the only other Brazilian UFC champion
Cris Cyborg: “We’re two Brazilians, and that would ‘kill’ one Brazilian. Why kill one if we’re representing the same country? It’s us against the world.”
Mixed martial arts was born from Jiu-Jitsu inspired Vale Tudo fights in Brazil. However, the sport is now worldwide, and only two UFC champions are from Brazil, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes and UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. Although neither lives in Brazil now, and one has become a US citizen, birth and culture run deep. Neither is interested in a superfight vs. the other.
Cyborg recently took part in a media day in Brazil, and made her feelings clear.
“I’d fight Amanda, but I have no interest in fighting her, said Cyborg, as transcribed byGuilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting. “We’re two Brazilians, and that would ‘kill’ one Brazilian. Why kill one if we’re representing the same country? It’s us against the world.”
Cyborg is currently campaigning for a fight with Holly Holm. And Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson hopefully sorts out the personal issues that removed her from a planned fight with Cyborg. However, Cyborg did not offer a flat denial.
“If it’s an interesting fight for the fans, if they want this, one day we can do it, she said. “It’s like ‘Claudinha’ fighting Jessica. I don’t think it would be cool because we’re Brazilians, but I’d do it. I would avoid it, because Brazil vs. Brazil is not cool, and I think fans would be split.”
Nunes fights iValentina Shevchenko in a rematch at UFC 215 in Edmonton, Alberta, on September 9. Cyborg hopes to return to the Octagon late this year.
