Bellator featherweight challenger Cat Zingano characterizes her relationship with champ Cris Cyborg as strained, citing allegations of cheating, evasion of fights, and even purchase of Zingano’s full fight name URL for an advertisement as examples of “cringey and creepy” behavior, but states her intent to fight and possibly win a major title.
The relationship between Cat Zingano and Bellator featherweight champ Cris Cyborg is undoubtedly strained. Zingano puts it mildly by saying ‘She’s not my favorite person’. This expression encompasses the unsavory behavior that Cyborg has exhibited since rising to the contender status for the featherweight belt, making her a rival for Zingano.
Zingano voiced her disappointment in Cyborg’s conduct, stating, “It’s a bummer, because I really did respect her for a long time, and we knew some pretty close people and similar friends and relationships”. She expressed her confusion on Cyborg’s sudden change of behaviour and her misuse of her fame during an interview on The MMA Hour. Zingano went on to describe how Cyborg transformed into an ‘awkward bully’ and how this transformation has led to her concern about Cyborg’s once esteemed athletic legacy.
Zingano, having joined Bellator as a one-time UFC title challenger, did not take long to catch Cyborg’s attention. Accusations and allegations have been fired back-and-forth between the two ever since. The feud escalated when Cyborg, or someone affiliated with her purchased the URL with Zingano’s full fight name, redirecting it to an advertisement highlighting Cyborg’s accomplishments. Zingano described the act as both alarming and contentious. Finally, Zingano metaphorically shrugged off the feud by focusing on the upcoming fight, expressing her determination to win while acknowledging the possibility of further bullying from Cyborg.
“I understand it’s the industry, and people talking, and making waves to introduce the fight is one thing”, She concluded. “But the fight is happening. I don’t really know why she’s so weird. She’s a weird girl these days.” Despite all the odds, Zingano continues to be unperturbed and focuses on her path to clinch a major title from Cyborg, a fighter considered to be one of the sport’s greats.