KATIE TAYLOR has been given the green light to face former UFC star Cris Cyborg in a world title boxing bout.
But the Irish star, 34, may have to agree to step into the octagon in return for the deal to take place.
After the undisputed lightweight champion secured a repeat rematch win over Delphine Persoon, the Olympic hero is already seeking a different challenge.
And it was thought an opponent from outside of boxing may be the answer for the WBO, WBC, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine lightweight world champion.
Now Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed Cyborg could switch across from MMA to challenge the 16-0 Taylor.
Coker told The Telegraph: “I would be thrilled. This is a goal that is important to Cyborg.
“She told me a year ago when I signed her that she wanted to box and become a world champion in boxing.
“We have been approached by three or four females to fight, but while having a boxing title under her belt is something she wants to do, my request is – win, lose, or draw – when the boxing match is done, they reciprocate and come and have an MMA fight in the next six months.
“Then, in my view, it’s fair. If this is something she [Cyborg] wants to do, we are going to support her.”
Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn could get a deal over the line relatively easily due to both his and Bellator’s strong relationship with DAZN.
Taylor boats a perfect professional record inside the ring, winning all 16 of her fights including six by knockout.
The two-weight world champ retained all her lightweight titles with the win by unanimous decision against Belgian Persoon in Hearn’s Brentwood back garden.
Cyborg, meanwhile, has 22 wins – 18 by knockout – from her 25 MMA fights with two defeats and one no contest.
The Brazilian, 35, lost her very first first to Erica Paes in her homeland way back in 2005.
Her second defeat came against Amanda Nunes in December 2018 where Cyborg was forced to give up her UFC women’s featherweight championship.
She did, however, win the Bellator equivalent in her latest fight at Bellator 238, beating Julia Budd with a TKO.
