Bellator 259: Do We Still Consider Cris Cyborg The Greatest?

Yes, Amanda Nunes bested Cris Cyborg when the two met a few years back inside the UFC. But does that push Nunes ahead of Cyborg in the race to greatest of all-time?

Nunes came along at a perfect time in female mixed marital arts. 

The sport was just taking off and hitting a huge upswing with the likes of Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and countless others securing main event billing. Nunes stepped right in and dominated both, handling them in impressive fashion along her path to the top.

But remember what Cyborg was doing a few years ago when the sport was still trying to gain a foothold in the door?

She was absolutely mauling people left and right.

Vanessa Porto, Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano, Gina Carano, Marloes Coenen, Leslie Smith, Tonya Evinger, Holly Holm. 

None of them could knock Cyborg off. 

In 2018, though, she ran into Nunes and was stopped inside of the first minute of the first round. Nunes was the G.O.A.T. and Cyborg just another on the list.

This Friday night, we get another opportunity to witness that greatness of Cyborg. And that does not take anything away from Nunes.

As some of the “older” veterans of the sport move closer and closer to retirement, we need to make sure to take full-advantage of each and every chance to see them compete. 

Will there ever be another Cyborg? 

Doubtful.