Cris Cyborg Claims Amanda Nunes Ducked her for Two Years

Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes. Arguably the two hardest hitting female MMA athletes to ever grace the octagon and two women whose careers will forever be intwined with one an other following their one minute shootout at UFC 232.

It was a match-up made in heaven for the fans, who were intrigued by both women’s heavy hitting style and questions being asked as to whether Nunes’ power would transfer up to 145lbs. We got than answer in less than 51 seconds as that is all it took for Nunes to finish Cyborg, claim her double champ status and snatch the belt from the veteran Brazilian.

We take a look at that fight and delve into the claim from Cris Cyborg that Amanda Nunes ducked her for two years, avoiding a rematch.

Cris Cyborg vs Amanda Nunes - Duck or Bad Luck?

UFC 232

Heading into UFC 232 fans were salivating at the potential of a mega fight between Nunes and Cyborg. Who’s cardio would hold up? Would the ground game become a factor for either woman? What would the power dynamic be between the two women?

What played out shocked everyone in the arena and at home. 

After a tentative first few seconds, Nunes swung a wild strike over the head of her foe, missing the mark by some way and allowing Cyborg to look for a counter. Nunes was much quicker though, stinging the former Invicta FC champion with a hard jab. A heavy leg kick followed up by a mean right hand saw Nunes grow in confidence.

Cyborg stalked Nunes and caught her with a scooping uppercut, but Nunes covered up, backed herself up to the fence and threw tight hooks which met their mark a lot quicker than Cyborg’s wild, wide ones.

She caught Cyborg on the chin, stumbling her into a forced takedown. Creating separation, Nunes continued to swing and Cyborg, showing very little MMA intelligence, swung with her. 

Nunes then lived up to her nickname, The Lionness, as she stalked Cyborg against the fence, landed a viscous overhand right, dropping her opponent. She followed this up by a further four pinpoint shots to the chin of the reigning champion and landed one huge overhand for good measure, sending Cyborg face down to the canvas.

An epic performance from Nunes to capture the belt.

The Rematch That Never Happened

Everyone wanted to see the reamtch. The UFC 232 was a very un-Cyborg-like performance.

The next fights for both women at featherweight highlighted why they needed each other more than they needed anyone else.

Both women's next fight at 145lbs saw them stand across from Felicia Spencer. When she took on Cyborg, she was a 7-0 novice and she somehow managed to get a shot at Nunes' belt after just one win.

Simply put, the female featherweight division was centered around one woman, Cris Cyborg. When Nunes took her crown, the division was split between the two women - No one else. Yes, Holly Holm could make 145lbs, but she isn't a natural featherweight.

The two women needed a rematch and if Cyborg is to be belived, she pushed for the rematch and Nunes ducked her.

🤷🏽‍♀️ I remember her winning, then refusing a rematch for 2 years as she waited for me to finish my ufc contract with a win over Felicia Spencer and sign with a new promotion before she would agree to return to 145.

I also remember her losing to Zingano, and Pena in the ufc

— CrisCy₿org.com 19X World Champ (@criscyborg) August 25, 2026

 

Cyborg claimed that Nunes waited for two years until Cyborg fought Spencer and left the promotion before she would agree to return to 145lbs.

Do you believe the claims that Cyborg is making?