THURSDAY NEWS DIGEST 9/7: ‘Cyborg’ granted professional boxing license, Mayweather vs. McGregor gate and UK PPV numbers, Donald Cerrone to headline UFC Fight Night 118

Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino granted professional boxing license in California

Cristiane Justino Venâncio, commonly referred to by her ring name Cris Cyborg, was granted a boxing license in the state of California. The current UFC Featherweight Champion plans to box in the 154 lb. division (Junior Middleweight Division). Cyborg’s manager George Prajin said that Justino plans to box in 2018.

“She loves to challenge her skills,” Prajin said. “She wants to professionally box in 2018, while of course taking into consideration how Zuffa feels about it. Any decision on a boxing match would be made with that in mind.”

Cyborg’s UFC contract expires in October but there is a champions clause in her contract. This clause allows the UFC to negotiate with Cyborg for one year.

John’s Analysis: I think Dana White said it the best. Conor McGregor is a unicorn. Just because Conor was able to crossover doesn’t mean every MMA fighter can do the same thing. I might be alone here, but I’m not interested in watching Cyborg box. I’d rather see her fight Holly Holm.   

Mayweather vs. McGregor gate and UK PPV numbers

The Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fight did $55,414,865.79 in ticket sales, but fell short of the record set by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight did $72,198,500 in ticket sales. The Mayweather vs. McGregor fight was held in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The arena can seat 17,689 people but only 13,094 tickets were sold.

Sky Sports confirmed that the Mayweather-McGregor bout set the all-time pay-per-view record in the UK. While the exact number has not yet been released, the fight did more than a million buys. The previous record was held by Anthony Joshua vs. Wladmir Klitschko.

THURSDAY NOTEBOOK ITEMS

• Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima resigned with Bellator MMA. He signed a six-fight, two-year deal.
• Donald Cerrone vs. Darren Till is scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 118 in Gdansk, Poland.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS UPDATE: Nate Diaz criticizes McGregor’s performance, Aaron Pico to fight at featherweight, Fabricio Werdum says USADA is too strict