Quickly-to-be free agent Cyborg will take a look at market
Marc RaimondiESPN
Cris “Cyborg” Justino’s subsequent UFC struggle is the final one on her present contract, and the previous UFC ladies’s featherweight champion will take a look at the free-agent market afterward, she mentioned Monday on ESPN’s Ariel Helwani’s MMA Present.
Justino will struggle Felicia Spencer within the co-main occasion of UFC 240 on July 27 in Edmonton, Alberta. Justino mentioned she’s going to then have an unique negotiating window with the UFC earlier than finally turning into a free agent.
“I wish to see different promoters, see how a lot worth I’ve,” Justino advised Helwani. “I feel it is cool to see that earlier than you’ll be able to hear something [about] that you do not have worth. Let’s have a look at. Let’s have a look at what one other promoter has to say.”
Justino (20-2, 1 NC) was undefeated for 13 years earlier than being knocked out by Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 final December. Nunes gained the UFC ladies’s featherweight title in that bout. Previous to that, Justino, 33, was considered the most effective pound-for-pound ladies’s MMA fighter on this planet and the best of all time. She gained her first 5 UFC fights, 4 by end, and been a champion in Strikeforce and Invicta FC.
Over time, Justino has had a combative relationship with the UFC. Most lately, UFC president Dana White mentioned final weekend that he wasn’t certain if Justino needed the rematch with Nunes for the 145-pound title. Justino mentioned she has been asking for that for the reason that day she misplaced, together with textual content messaging White. Justino mentioned she believes White is “making an attempt to wreck my model.”
“Humorous, I used to be at dwelling and watching the press convention and I can’t consider Dana White mentioned that,” Justino mentioned.
Justino, a local of Brazil who has lived in California for a few years, wouldn’t say that she is unquestionably finished with the UFC after the Spencer struggle. However she did say she desires to see what sort of curiosity she has on the open market. Justino advised Helwani that folks within the UFC have advised her she would not have actual worth. She’s hoping to show them flawed.
“Why not?” Justino mentioned. “The chance is coming and I’ve the chance to see my worth with different promoters, I do not know.”
Justino was lately ringside on the first All Elite Wrestling present in Las Vegas final month. Justino mentioned she wouldn’t rule out a future in skilled wrestling, including that she did not get to struggle Ronda Rousey in MMA, so perhaps the matchup will occur sooner or later in wrestling.
“It is arduous to be a professional wrestler,” Justino mentioned. “They work very arduous. They’re very athletic. Perhaps. I did coaching earlier than just a little bit.”