Amanda Nunes blames timing for Cris Cyborg fight falling through, still open to it this summer

ORLANDO, Fla. – UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes didn’t get her wish to fight featherweight champ Cris Cyborg, but she’ll revisit the issue after her next title fight.

“We can still negotiate for the future,” Nunes, who attended UFC on FOX 28 as a guest fighter, told MMAjunkie backstage. “We’ll see. I’m pretty excited.”

Nunes (15-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC) currently is set to defend her title against Raquel Pennington at UFC 224, while Cyborg (18-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will face Yana Kunitskaya (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 222. The UFC champs flirted with a possible fight early this year and in late 2017, only to stick to their respective divisions.

Nunes attempts her third title defense following a split decision over Valentina Shevchenko this past September, while Cyborg attempts her second defense after a unanimous call over Holly Holm this past December.

Just two months ago, UFC President Dana White said a superfight between the champions was the fight to make. Cyborg was less enthused about the idea, preferring to face contenders in her division. Eventually, she warmed to the prospect. But when she had a chance to save UFC 222 after a lost headliner, she took it.

Nunes was taken aback with the choice considering Cyborg’s UFC 222 opponent, Kunitskaya, is an Invicta FC bantamweight champion.

Nunes, though, stops short of questioning Cyborg’s willingness to face her. After all, there isn’t much evidence that fear drives the featherweight champ’s schedule. Different timetables are a likelier cause.

“She wanted to (return) fast, and I wanted some time,” Nunes said. “At least put on more muscle and be 100 percent ready for 145 (pounds). And she decided to fight somebody else.”

Nunes started her big-show career as a featherweight but dropped to 135 pounds in 2011. She said a proper move to 145 wouldn’t be easy; to add size and strength naturally, she would need ample preparation.

“I wanted it,” Nunes said. “It was supposed to be my next (fight). It’s not the way we wanted (it to happen).”

Cyborg recently tweeted she’d be open to a showdown this summer against Nunes at UFC 226, which takes place July 7 at T-Mobile Arena. The event is expected to do big business at the box office, and a superfight would add to the buzz.

Nunes plans to focus on Pennington first and then turn to Cyborg.

“I would love to fight her, and after this fight we can see,” Nunes said.

For more on UFC 224, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.