Bellator Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg has accused two-time PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison of declining their fight offer, expressing her disappointment in the process.
Cyborg revealed through a post on X.com that Pete Murray, the CEO of the PFL had proposed her the venue and date for the fight against Harrison, and after she accepted the offer, it was Harrison who turned it down.
“I am disappointed to hear that after @PeteMurrayPFL offered me the date and location for a fight against @KaylaH and after we accepted the bout that she has now declined the offer,” Cyborg wrote.
I am disappointed to hear that after @PeteMurrayPFL offered me the date and location for a fight against @KaylaH and after we accepted the bout that she has now declined the offer. pic.twitter.com/c105tdyyH2
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) January 3, 2024
Cris Cyborg vs. Kayla Harrison: One of the biggest fights to make
While her tenure with the UFC ended back in 2019, Cyborg joined Bellator and became the “Grand Slam Champion”, winning the Bellator Featherweight title on her debut against Julia Budd at Bellator 238 in January 2020. The former UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce featherweight champion has continued her domination in her newest promotion, racking up five title defenses and in her most recent triumph, she defeated Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 in October last year.
However, there’s one fight that fans have been calling for is to see the Brazilian lock horns against Kayla Harrison. The two time Olympic champion judoka has been a dominant force in the PFL, bar from a sole loss to Larissa Pacheco at the 2022 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament Final. Her last outing had Kayla defeating Aspen Ladd in a 150 pound catchweight bout in November 2023 at PFL 10.
There is yet to be a response from PFL or Kayla regarding Cyborg’s claim. Moreover, her relationship with PFL following their acquisition of Bellator has not been smooth. Last year, PFL founder Donn Davis stated that he wants to see Cyborg fighting Pacheco before facing Harrison, which wasn’t exactly what Cyborg was planning for.
At that time, Cyborg revealed that she wasn’t informed by the PFL overseers regarding her future.
“As I said last night… Lots of plans being made and announced. I have not had any contact with anyone from the @PFLMMA since news of the purchase. One thing I will control is how my career finishes. Company culture and the way I am going to be treated as I finish the final fights of my career are a priority. Despite having two fighters call me out fight night, I was one of the few Bellator champions not to be contacted or invited to the show,” Cyborg wrote on X back in November.
🙏🏽 as I said last night…
Lots of plans being made and announced.
I have not had any contact with anyone from the @PFLMMA since news of the purchase.
One thing I will control is how my career finishes.
Company culture and the way I am going to be treated as I finish the… pic.twitter.com/Z8U2CvLH1g
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) November 26, 2023