UFC president Dana White confirmed today that he is ready to release former featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (21-2-0, 1NC) from her contract after she recently criticized him for ‘bullying’ her at UFC 240.
According to a company video released today, White explained the backstory with Cyborg, accusing Cyborg of not wanting to rematch current featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
“She is free and clear to go to Bellator or any of these other organizations and fight these easy fights that she wants,” White said in the video. “Done. Done deal. I will literally today have my lawyer draft a letter to her team that she is free and clear to go where ever she wants. We’re out of the Cyborg business.”
Cyborg recently completed her fight deal after a win over Felicia Spencer at UFC 240. generated some buzz with a video showing her confronting White backstage.
HOLY! GUACAMOLE! @criscyborg slams @YouTube #Trending https://t.co/EGNTlFjcd6
— Paulie G (@PaulieGMMA) August 1, 2019
Cyborg’s current official status however is murky. Once a fighter’s deal is complete, there is usually an exclusive negotiating window that the UFC uses to match any offers from rival organizations. She has not currently publicly confirmed her status with the company since the video.
All dressed up and ready to go when my date suddenly cancels. Anyone know someone who might be interested? pic.twitter.com/Q6PqakDE3r
— Cris Cyborg Youtube (@criscyborg) August 3, 2019
For the record, Cyborg has previously disputed White’s claims of not wanting to rematch Nunes. She also criticized previous disparaging comments of her by White prior to her arrival in the UFC in May 2016.
Bati um papo com a @criscyborg Ela falou sobre a relação com Dana White, o futuro no UFC, a revanche com a Amanda Nunes e mais. Confere aí! Tá longo, mas vale mto ler e assistir o vídeo https://t.co/yqCastngf2
— Evy Rodrigues (@vevyrodrigues) August 1, 2019
In the video, White said those comments were taken out of context as he was responding to reporters who were asking for comment on what other fighters such as Ronda Rousey said about her.
White has a history of bad blood and continued business with fighters like Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture.
As Dana likes to say, let’s see what happens here as things move forward.
