Bellator 279: Blaisdell Center; Honolulu, Hawaii
Well, it took the “GWOAT” to put an end to Bellator’s streak of champions dropping their belts at two. Cristiane Justino once again faced former two-division boxing champion, Arlene Blencowe. And although the statistics say one thing; make no mistake about it, Cyborg was pushed by Blencowe.
For five-rounds the two women battered each other, but Blencowe was just two-steps behind. And when you’re facing that level of talent, it’s the difference between winning and losing. With Cyborg losing a point in the opening round for an unintentional illegal knee, all three-cards were 49-45.
Blencowe was outlanded 141-67, and out kicked 59-18. And those kicks paid an early dividend. Especially the front kicks and lead leg kicks. Blencowe’s left leg was swelling making her easier to hit. The duo certainly did a lot of that, as both left the cage bloodied. A tearful Blencowe was told by her corner post-fight “Hey, you’re the second best fu***ng featherweight, that’s okay”. Whether the 39-year old Australian and mother continues her career is questionable.
She left the cage with the look of someone who was done. And she also took her gloves off, which is usually the tell. But in the guts department, she’s a champion. And she did sting Justino on occasion, it’s just Cyborg walked through it all. Post-fight she told John McCarthy:
“Zingano, Nunes, or Kayla;… Harrison it doesn’t matter, I just want big fights”.
Cyborg Pushed By Blencowe, Who Should Be Next
It’s safe to say that Amanda Nunes won’t be it. As much as everyone want’s to see her and Kayla Harrison, that too probably isn’t it. That leaves second-ranked Cat Zingano. What also is in play is Scott Coker’s promise to allow her to take a boxing match. Zingano fought and won earlier this month. With the damage that Cyborg took against Blencowe, she might be parked till late summer.
The cross-promotion with the PFL and Harrison might just be window dressing from Bellator’s side however. While it might be fun for fans, at this point TeamCyborg has to do everything to protect their brand. That means not take 50-50 fights if possible. It’s one thing if it was in the same company, and a highly ranked or red hot fighter. Harrison has not had to come close to withstanding the dynamite in the hands of anyone like Justino. But; should Harrison be able to get inside, and judo toss her down, it could be a very quick night for Cyborg. The only question is could her chin hold up to the firepower that would come at her before that toss could happen.
Against Blencowe, when things got to the ground, Cyborg showed some solid grinding grappling, and that’ll be effective against Zingano. Her hand speed hasn’t slowed, and her strike selection is actually better now than when she just tore through the competition. Despite not being floored against Blencowe, who was throwing heat herself, the lone real question about Cyborg is one that gets asked about everyone. How much more does her chin have left in it.
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