Amanda Nunes Has No Idea Why the Cyborg Fight is Taking So Long

Aside from Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic’s ultra mega fight being booked, there is at least a couple more superfights lingering around that haven’t been finalized. One of them is UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg defending against UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Dana White said he’d put it together, Nunes campaigned for it, Cyborg has said she’s agreed to it but nothing has happened yet. This has led to Nunes to publicly wonder what the hold up is with the match-up.

“I wanted that fight [with Cyborg]. She didn’t even think about that when I decided to do it. I texted Dana White, and I said I wanted that fight. I’m ready to go up. I wanted something big for my career and I decided the next step would be Cyborg. But the negotiations have been so slow. I don’t know what is wrong, but I didn’t even see my contract yet. Nothing is official. [I didn’t want a] catchweight at all. I’m going up to 145. I don’t want to make this so long – already it’s long. […] I’ve fought there before. My first fight in Strikeforce at 145 was against Julia Budd. Things worked very well for me. I’m a little bit over losing weight as well. I have to get on the diet and go down. I want to take a little break from that and go up. I think this is the best choice for me right now and they don’t have nobody in my division.”

I have agreed with my management to fight @Amanda_Leoa #ufc226 July 7th in Las Vegas during international fight week. I will let her finalize her side of the bout now. pic.twitter.com/w5YIYYRGV5

— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) January 23, 2018

“I know she’s powerful, I know she’s a great fighter, but when it comes to a fighter, I am as well. I’m not scared to step in front of her at all. […] Why am I going to be afraid of her? I respect her as a fighter, but I know I have a huge chance to take this belt, for sure. I did so much for the 135 division and it’s going to be heartbreaking to let that belt go and not keep defending, but we’ll see [if I would have to vacate]. I’m going to sit down with Dana White and see what he can do. I would love to defend both if I have to. But I know it’s hard, but I might have to pick one for sure. In general it’s going to be huge for women’s MMA. That’s why I’m very excited. It’s never happened, a girl trying to get two belts. I’m going to be the first one. And if it happens, I’m going to be the only one. And I want to be that. This makes me excited.” — Amanda Nunes speaking to MMA Junkie.

The UFC has promised big things for their 25th anniversary year. That combined with no huge stars to draw from, it makes sense that the UFC will do all they can to make these giant match-ups. According to Amanda Nunes though, she hasn’t even seen a contract to sign yet. Regardless, Nunes if confident it happens and eager to try and accomplish something that has never been done in the UFC before, while Cyborg will attempt to continue the rampant dominant run she’s kept up her entire career.

1/30/2018.