INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 29: Cris Cyborg of Brazil arrives to the arena during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

After a rocky departure from the UFC, MMA’s hottest free agent Cris “Cyborg” Justino has found a new home.

Cris “Cyborg” Justino has been one of the most dominant female fighters in the world for quite some time. Coming out of her fulfilled contract, Justino quickly became the MMA world’s most sought after commodity. With her recent signing to Bellator, new opponents await their shot at the newly signed MMA legend. It’s almost a certainty that Justino will be thrown in the mix with the best the promotion has to offer. With that in mind, we take a look at three potential matchups for Justino’s Bellator debut.

3. Talita “Treta” Nogueira

With a 7-1 overall record and only two Bellator fights under her belt, Nogueira has already faced the best that Bellator’s 145-pound division has to offer. Nogueira’s first Bellator scrap came against Amanda Bell at Bellator 182 back in Aug. 2017, where the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace submitted Bell by rear-naked choke in the opening round. 11 months later, Nogueira found herself headlining Bellator 202 with featherweight champion Julia Budd. Although ultimately defeated, Nogueira hung tough until late in the third round before Budd scored a TKO victory and took Nogueira’s perfect MMA record. With Nogueira’s status as a former title contender, a Justino match-up and successful debut could push Justino into the title picture in no time.

2. Olga Rubin

Another possible debut bout for Justino comes in the form of Pariente Academies Olga “Big Bad” Rubin. With an overall record of 6-1, Rubin could provide a solid welcoming act for Justino. With two unanimous decision victories and one TKO victory in her three Bellator outings, Rubin also hit the fast track to the top. After three fights for the promotion, Rubin headlined Bellator 224 with featherweight champ Julia Budd on July 12, 2019. Rubin was dispatched in the first round by Budd, via TKO. A potential victory over Rubin would go a long way in showing that Justino is in fact, prepared to deal with the best Bellator has to offer.

1. Julia Budd

Although other possible opponents linger, the die-hard fight fan’s choice for Justino’s first dance partner would be the current featherweight champion, Julia Budd. Coincidently enough, the two losses on Budd’s record were at the hands of two women who are linked to Justino throughout her tenure with the UFC, current UFC champ-champ Amanda Nunes, and former UFC legend and WWE superstar Ronda Rousey.

Budd who hasn’t lost a fight since Nov. 2011 currently owns an 11 fight win streak, six of which have come by way of finish.

Justino’s reputation and resume speak for itself, and the sustained dominance over the course of her career can not be ignored. With that being said, a debut bout with a shot at the featherweight title on the line would not be something considered to have come from way out of left field.

Bellator President Scott Coker is aware of the star power Justino and Budd possess, and an enormous headlining fight could be just a signed contract away.