Cris Cyborg is open to fighting Katie Taylor on Irish soil - but wants Conor McGregor nowhere near the event if she does.
The Brazilian is one of the biggest names in MMA worldwide, but believes that two-time UFC champion McGregor "just wouldn't be a good fit" for such an historic event.
Taylor, who defends her world lightweight belts against Argentina's Karen Elizabeth Carabajal on Saturday, reiterated her desire in recent days to go toe-to-toe with Cyborg inside a boxing ring.
READ MORE: 'Dream' Croke Park homecoming remains the ultimate goal for Katie Taylor
Although a rematch between the Bray Bomber and Amanda Serrano, who she defeated at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, remains the most likely fight for Taylor at Croke Park, Cyborg could be another option if a deal with the Puerto Rican can't be made next year.
Cyborg told The Irish Mirror: "I can fight Katie Taylor in Ireland but I don't think putting Conor McGregor on the same event would be the best way to promote the fight.
"With Katie and myself you have two of the greatest athletes in combat sports. You would be taking an icon from boxing and an icon from MMA and placing them together in the ring for something legendary and historic.
"Both Katie and myself have fought our entire career to help create opportunities for other women in our respective sports. Conor has only won one fight in the past six years and I think with all the controversy he has had outside of the ring, it just wouldn't be a good fit for an event looking to empower the next generation of women entering combat sports."
Cyborg was speaking after newly crowned IBO super welterweight champion of the world and Kildare native Dennis Hogan said he was interested in fighting McGregor, with some speculating the bout could take place on Taylor's Croke Park undercard, although a bout between the Australian-based fighter and Cork's Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan is much more likely to happen.
As keen as Cyborg is to fight Taylor, she admits time is running out for the fight to be made as she weighs up other options in MMA. She has also accused Taylor's team of trying to protect the 36-year-old's unbeaten status.
Bellator's women's featherweight champion explained: "I think Katie Taylor would be a great opponent but I don't know if the fight is going to happen.
"Katie's team has already started talking about retirement and they seem most interested in protecting her undefeated record. I don't know how many tough challenges she is realistically looking to accept at this point in her career."
Although Cyborg revealed that talks have taken place between her team and Taylor's, she suggests that money may be an issue in making the fight.
She said: "My team has talked to Katie Taylor's manager and they met with Eddie Hearn. I think we had some good conversations but the reality is the sport of women's boxing is much smaller than the sport of women's MMA but I'm at a point in my career that if I'm going to fight an opponent of Taylor's level it has to be for the same type of money I make fighting MMA.
"I don't know what the situation is with her and Amanda Serrano but I have two big fight options in MMA with bouts between either Cat Zingano or Kayla Harrison as superfights that I am looking to make and if talks for a Katie Taylor fight don't start soon my training focus is going to have to transition back towards MMA to make them happen."
Speaking in recent days about the possibility of facing Cyborg in a crossover bout, Taylor stated: "She is an MMA legend, she’s a lot bigger and heavier than me as well so that makes for an interesting fight.
"I would be willing to step into the ring with her if that’s the fight people are interested in so that could be a possibility."
Taylor's bout with Carabajal headlines Matchroom's card at the Wembley Arena in London this Saturday night, which also features Kildare's Gary Cully in action against France's Jaouad Belmehdi. The event will be shown live on DAZN.
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