Bellator 249 -- Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe: Fight card, prediction, odds, start time, how to watch
Cyborg is set to make the first defense of her featherweight title since claiming the gold in her Bellator debut
When MMA women's pioneer Cris Cyborg considers the best part about her transition over the past 12 months from the UFC to Bellator MMA, the fact that she is finally able to compete at her own weight class against fighters her own size ranks right up near the top.
Cyborg (22-2, 1 NC), who captured the Bellator featherweight title in her promotional debut in January by stopping Julia Budd, believes she's now the face of the deepest 145-pound women's division across the globe. It's a far cry from her nearly two-year run as UFC featherweight champion, which featured multiple bouts against blown-up bantamweights.
"The one thing that makes me really happy is [to have] real 145-pound opponents," Cyborg said during Tuesday's virtual media day. "I always fought for this, and in the beginning of my career, I always believed in the 145-pound division. It makes me really happy that [Bellator MMA president] Scott Coker is signing all of the girls at 145. It's going to be a great division and there are going to be great fights.
"I know all the girls are 145 pounds. I don't see another organization where all the girls are 145 -- maybe two or three. In Bellator, we have all the girls."
Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news.
