In a shocking turn of events, Cris Cyborg, the reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion, has called out Ali Abdelaziz, the prominent manager in the world of mixed martial arts, for comments she perceives as bordering on sexual harassment. The dispute revolves around Abdelaziz’s recent warning to potential opponents of his top PFL fighter, Kayla Harrison, regarding drug testing protocol.
Harrison, who boasts an impressive 15-1 MMA record, is set to make her return to the cage against Julia Budd at the 2023 PFL World Championship on November 24th in Washington, D.C. Harrison has been absent from the octagon since her loss at the final PFL 2022 event against Larissa Pacheco last November, and she wasn’t part of this year’s featherweight season.
Ali Abdelaziz raised eyebrows when he took to social media to issue a stern warning to all of Harrison’s opponents, past and future, regarding the rigorous drug testing regimen they would face. In a controversial statement, he declared, “All these cheated women in PFL (Kayla Harrison) fought, now USADA will be on you 24/7. You better stop now. Also the one coming from Bellator. Everyone has to give urine and blood samples. They will start look like females again not males.”
Cyborg, not one to shy away from controversy, promptly responded to Abdelaziz’s remarks. She took to her platform to assert, “‘They will start look like females again not males’ – (Ali Abdelaziz) I don’t know who you are talking about, but if I am the ‘one coming from Bellator,’ I hope you have that same energy when I see you in person. I will not tolerate sexual harassment.”
USADA, the renowned Anti-Doping Agency, is responsible for overseeing drug testing in PFL since their partnership earlier this year and also serves as the official, independent anti-doping agency for the UFC.
While the feud between Cyborg and Abdelaziz continues to simmer, there is no official confirmation regarding a potential matchup between Cyborg and Harrison. Cyborg (26-2 MMA) is gearing up for a bout against Cat Zingano (14-4 MMA) at Bellator 300 on October 7th in San Diego, California. The 38-year-old Cyborg is riding a six-fight winning streak, with her most recent victory coming against Arlene Blencowe in April 2022.
As the MMA world watches this feud unfold, the question remains: Would you like to see a showdown between Cyborg and Harrison? Do you share Cris Cyborg’s belief that Ali Abdelaziz’s comments veer dangerously close to ‘sexual harassment’? Only time will tell how this story in the world of mixed martial arts will ultimately unfold.
With both fighters known for their exceptional skills and tenacity, a potential clash in the cage promises to be a spectacle like no other. MMA fans, brace yourselves for what could be a historic showdown that transcends the sport, as Cyborg and Harrison’s rivalry unfolds with every passing day, adding an extra layer of drama and excitement to the already thrilling world of mixed martial arts.
