Bellator try to persuade Cris Cyborg to stay in MMA – targeting Katie Taylor?

Katie Taylor may just have found another ‘mega fight’ rival.

The undisputed lightweight and two weight world champion last week spoke of her desire to cement her legacy by being involved in the biggest possible fights.

The Olympic gold medal winner named checked next opponent Amanda Serrano, ‘First Lady’ Cecilia Braekhaus and former foe Delfine Persoon on a list of three big name fighters with massive fight potential.

There are others calling for the fight and prospects with future fight potential – and Brazilian Cyborg could now be added to that list.

The former UFC star and current Bellator operator secured a boxing licence in 2017 and flirted with the idea of boxing undefeated pound for pound star Braekhaus.

She was also mentioned alongside Clarresa Shields, although there may be a weight discrepancy there considering the MMA fighter operates around featherweight and Shields at her lightest has been light middle.

Although, neither fighter have openly discussed it, Katie Taylor is the most recent to be linked with Cyborg and the rumour mill suggests its a fight the South American would convert for.

Bellator’s Dana White equivalent Scott Coker admits Team Cyborg where exploring boxing options, but revealed they now ‘need’ her pulling power and name in MMA, putting a boxing bout on the back burner.

“We were going to try to have her box right now against one of the world champion boxers,” Coker stated. “I talked to (Cyborg’s manager) Audie (Attar) about a week ago and I said, and he agreed, he actually brought it up when we talked about her competing in boxing, I said, ‘With everything that’s going on and this big pause in this combat sports schedule, I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to have her box because we need to have her fight in MMA.’”

The delay possibly suits the Irish star. If she can get through her three fight wish list Hall of Fame status awaits and a clash with Cyborg may just be the perfect high profile fight whilst she awaits the emergence of the burgeoning stars of future.

Taylor had previously linked to former boxing abd UFC world champion Holly Holmes. Holmes called out the 33-year-old when before Rio 2016 and both parties talked up the fight back in 2017.

“There’s huge interest from American TV companies and even the Holly Holm fight down the road is a strong possibility,” Peters told the42.ie.

Taylor herself also seemed interested when asked about the showdown stating “Sounds good! Yeah, bring it on for sure.”