SANDY Ryan has welcomed a potential showdown with MMA legend Cris Cyborg, with the former world champion seemingly exploring a title charge at 154lbs.
The 31-year-old comes off back-to-back defeats to Mikaela Mayer who, after edging a highly-contentious majority decision last September, was able to produce a far more comprehensive display in their rematch.
Indeed, the American retained her WBO welterweight strap in dominant fashion, outboxing Ryan, 7-3-1 (3 KOs), through large spells of their 10-round encounter back in March.
But still, Ryan looks to prove that her promising career is by no means over, as she now targets a lucrative matchup that could lead her towards another world title shot.
It was Cyborg, though, who reached out to the Derbyshire woman via social media just two days ago, insisting that Claressa Shields – her preferred option – is unable to meet the super-welterweight limit.
In response, Ryan expressed her interest in the possible matchup, urging Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and her manager, Brian Peters, to make it happen.
Then, following a lengthy exchange of barbs that arrived shortly after, Cyborg claimed that Peters had already reached out to her team with a view to negotiate terms.
While having cultivated an illustrious career in the world of MMA, the Brazilian has only amassed five professional outings – against limited opposition – in the ring.
But nevertheless, the 39-year-old appears eager to test herself against Ryan, a vastly more seasoned operator who secured a fourth-round stoppage victory over Terri Harper last year.
Equally, Ryan produced a glittering performance against former undisputed queen Jessica McCaskill in 2023, only to be denied what should have been a career-best win.
Given her credentials, then, it is likely that, against Cyborg, she would enter the ring as a sizable favourite.
