Bellator MMA Intrigues Fans With Multiple Options for Cris Cyborg’s Next Opponent

Published 01/25/2021, 1:54 PM EST

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Cris Cyborg is one of the biggest names in the world of women’s mixed martial arts. The current Bellator featherweight champion has been synonymous with dominance. However, for every champion, there are several contenders lurking in the background for a shot at the title. Therefore, Bellator MMA has now teased potential contenders for Cyborg’s next title defense.

Cris Cyborg won the Bellator MMA featherweight title in her promotional debut. She defeated Julia Budd to become a world champion in four different promotions. Cyborg has one title defense under her belt in Bellator. She submitted Arlene Blencowe in the second round last year in October. With her first defense in the books, Cyborg is now looking forward to her next challenge.

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This past Sunday, Bellator MMA took to their social media page and left the fans guessing about Cyborg’s next opponent. The promotion posted a picture of Cyborg holding her belt along with three potential contenders: Julia Budd, Sinead Kavanagh, and Leslie Smith. The picture also had a question mark for a fourth potential contender.

Cat Zingano could be a potential contender for the next title defense of Cris Cyborg

Of the three contenders that Bellator teased, Cyborg has already defeated two of them. Justino made quick work of Leslie Smith at UFC 198. She overcame Budd to win the featherweight title in Bellator. The SBG Ireland standout, Sinead Kavanagh, is yet to string together a winning streak of over two fights in her Bellator tenure.

Around the same time that Cyborg switched organizations, former UFC bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano did so as well. She has made her successful debut in the promotion with a win over Gabby Holloway at Bellator 245.

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The champ Cris Cyborg suffered her last setback against Amanda Nunes. The defeat brought her twenty-one fight undefeated streak to an end. The Brazilian-American mixed martial artist did a fairly good job of bouncing back from the defeat. She completed her UFC contract and then made a move over to Bellator. She has appreciated her new promotional home a lot.

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Irrespective of whoever fights Cyborg, the reigning champion should be a favorite against her opponent.

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Written by:

Rishabh Singh

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Rishabh Singh is an MMA author at EssentiallySports since 2020. An engineer in the making, his love for combat sports began by watching Anderson Silva light people up inside the Octagon. When he isn't busy in his technical pursuits, he is an avid reader with a love for sports in general and sporting history in particular.
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