Leah McCourt hopes PFL acquisition doesn't throw monkey wrench into Bellator title shot vs. Cris Cyborg

LAS VEGAS – Leah McCourt was all squared away to finally get a crack at Bellator gold after years and years of grinding. She even had a faceoff with champion Cris Cyborg in the cage earlier in the year.

However, as things sit in December, with the recent PFL acquisition of Bellator, McCourt (8-3 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) is uncertain what her next bout will be.

PFL has announced plans to have Bellator champions go head-to-head with 2023 PFL champions in an event in early 2024. This would mean McCourt would either have to sit out and wait for Cyborg (27-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA), or take another fight in the meantime.

“We haven’t been told too much, I don’t think. The acquisition has only just happened. There’s not a lot of plans in place, which is definitely frustrating for the current Bellator roster. I am a little bit frustrated. I feel like I deserve the Cyborg fight next. I’m the No. 1 contender. But other names have been mentioned next. We’ll see what’s next.

“… For me, I’ve been fighting for 10 years. I’ve worked toward the biggest fight of my life, which is against Cris Cyborg. She’s not going to be around for a long time. I feel like I deserve that fight and that’s what should’ve been for me next. I’ve faced off against her in the cage. It’s out of my control. I’ve done what I need to do to get here. I just need to wait and see what they decide.”