When it comes to the possibility of a super fight between Cris Cyborg and PFL two-time champion Kayla Harrison, the Bellator featherweight has a simple response: “If she really wants to fight me, she knows where I’m at.”
On Friday night in Hollywood, Fla. “Cyborg” Justino (25-2) defended her 145-pound crown for the third straight time in the headliner of Bellator 271. What was her fifth straight win overall was also one of her fastest victories in over three years, as she crushed Irish talent Sinead Kavanagh (7-5) in 92 seconds.
Cris Cyborg down for a Kayla Harrison scrap, once she signs with Bellator
Since her move to the Bellator cage, Justino has had memorable moments, but not quite the legendary destruction that built highlight reel videos and formed the 36-year-olds legacy. However, viewers last night were privy to some vintage “Cyborg” as her opponent served as the sacrificial lamb on the violence goddesses alter.
In the lead-up to the event, a hot topic was again the idea of a fight between Justino and recent PFL 2021 women’s lightweight champion Harrison (12-0). Since the two-time Olympic gold medalist is on a free agent tour, was in the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel yesterday, and said in an interview on Thursday she thinks she would “dominate” the former UFC champion in a fight.
Of course, the Brazilian was asked about that possibility in her post-win press conference, and although Justino did not offer up similar trash talk, she made it crystal clear that she is on board with the booking. Once the American puts pen to paper on a Bellator deal.
Yet, she doesn’t seem too sure the American Top Team product will actually compete outside her comfy kingdom in the PFL.
“I really appreciate Kayla Harrison coming to the fight. If she wants to fight me one day, that would be great. … If she really wants to fight me, she knows where I’m at. [Her manager Ali Abdelaziz] can negotiate with Scott Coker to make the fight happen. I have nothing to say. I’m not gonna share my shine today. I’m here ready for anyone who wants to fight me, for sure,” Justino said.
“If she really wants to fight me, she can sign with Bellator, and we’ll fight. We’re gonna talk about this back and forth, back and forth. I don’t think she’s gonna come out of PFL. I think she’s gonna continue PFL. This is just part of the game.”
Do you think Cyborg vs Harrison happens in 2021, or is a UFC run more likely for the gold medalist?
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