Cristiane
Justino has been talking about boxing for quite some time now,
and now it appears that “Cyborg” is ready to make her foray into
the Sweet Science.
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After a convincing five-round verdict in a rematch against Arlene
Blencowe in the
Bellator 279 main event on Saturday, the reigning featherweight
queen discussed her next move at the post-fight press conference.
While there are a few options that interest the Brazilian in MMA,
she seems intent on boxing, as well.
“For me, my next fight I’d like to do a boxing fight,” she said.
“It’s been one of my dreams. Maybe it’s going to be the next one
I’m working on. I don’t know. I don’t know who is going to be next
or who Bellator will put in front of me – Cat Zingano,
Amanda
Nunes, Kayla
Harrison. I like to be [part of] the big shows for my fans and
enjoy every time I step in there for the title.”
According to Bellator president Scott Coker, allowing “Cyborg” the
opportunity to box was always part of the plan if she found the
right opportunity.
“I think that’s really going to be up to her,” Coker said. “I’ll be
honest with you and I don’t want to get into too much detail, but
it’s always been an agreement that we’ve had with her that she can
box at any time in our contract with her. She [was free to] box
whether it was a year ago or eight months ago. She’s always had the
ability to box in her agreement.”
Justino began
considering a boxing move when she was under contract with the
UFC and even
received her boxing license from the California State Athletic
Commission in 2017.
“I’ve been coaching and training boxing for one fight. I’m looking
for one fight,” Justino said. “I’ve done everything. I did
wrestling. I did jiu-jitsu. I did a muay Thai fight. It’s the only
one I haven’t done, is boxing. It’s one of my dreams.”