Could we see Cris Cyborg back in the Octagon in two months time? According to the UFC Women’s featherweight champion herself, it’s a possibility.
The champion, fresh off of her victory over Holly Holm at UFC 219, took to Instagram this morning to say she had accepted a contest with Megan Anderson in Australia (Anderson’s home country) at UFC 221. Anderson is regularly cited as one of the few other high0level, natural 145-pound women in the mixed martial arts landscape, and a fight between her and Cyborg has long been touted as the few potential challenges Cyborg has to face.
“I got a call asking if I would fight @megana_mma in her home country,” Cyborg wrote in her caption. “And I said Yes!”
It would perhaps be something of a surprise to see Cyborg return so quickly. At her post-fight press conference in Las Vegas last week, the champion did specifically name Anderson as the woman she’d like to face next, and also said a fight in Australia was something she’d embrace. When asked if UFC 221, which takes place in Perth, February 11, was on the cards, Cyborg seemed to hesitate.
“I say Megan Anderson because she is 145 pounds. I want my division growing. It’s growing fast and you need to put the girls at 145. I do think she is in line to fight for the belt,” she said. “I don’t know in six weeks because my hand hurt, Holly’s head is very hard. I don’t know if in six weeks, but a little bit.”
Should Cyborg be added to the card, UFC 221 would play host to two title fights, with Robert Whittaker vs. Luke Rockhold already scheduled to headline the event.
