Tag: Cris Cyborg

Ex-UFC champion Cris Cyborg pens new multi fight deal to remain under Bellator MMA banner

Cris Cyborg signs new multi fight deal with Bellator MMAFormer undisputed UFC featherweight champion and current Bellator MMA division gold holder, Cris Cyborg has put to bed speculation regarding her fighting future under the Scott Coker-led banner this week, penning a new, multi-fight deal with the North American-based promotion. Cyborg, a former UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC featherweight champion to boot, saw her contractual […]

Cris Cyborg signs new multi fight deal with Bellator MMA

Former undisputed UFC featherweight champion and current Bellator MMA division gold holder, Cris Cyborg has put to bed speculation regarding her fighting future under the Scott Coker-led banner this week, penning a new, multi-fight deal with the North American-based promotion.

Cyborg, a former UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC featherweight champion to boot, saw her contractual obligations with Bellator MMA come to an end back in April of this year, defeating Arlene Blencowe in a one-sided unanimous decision win in the pair’s rematch.

Joining the Bellator MMA banner back in January 2020, Cyborg, a former undisputed featherweight champion under the scrutiny of the UFC, managed to mint herself as Bellator gold holder with an eventual fourth round TKO win over Julia Budd. 

Successfully four consecutive defenses of her featherweight crown, Cris Cyborg first defeated the above-mentioned, Blencowe, before then finishing both Leslie Smith, and Sinead Kavanagh with knockout victories. 

Cris Cyborg officially pens new multi-fight deal to remain under Bellator MMA banner

With her future with the promotion up in the air, Cyborg, who has been linked with a return to the cage in a featherweight title defense against fellow UFC alum and former bantamweight championship challenger, Cat Zingano, the Brazilian reached a deal on a new multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.

“The G.W.O.A.T. re-signs,” Bellator MMA tweeted. “Featherweight world champion @criscyborg pens a BRAND NEW multi-fight contract to continue making history exclusively with Bellator MMA!” 

In the midst of a six-fight winning run, Cyborg, a native of Curitiba, Brazil – moved to Bellator MMA following a decision win over Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 in July 2019. 

During his tenure atop the featherweight throne during her stint with the UFC, Cris Cyborg landed successful title defenses against Yana Kunitskaya, and former undisputed bantamweight champion, Holly Holm. 

Cris Cyborg hopes to train with Mike Perry for potential BKFC debut; ‘I think it would be fun’

Cris CyborgCris Cyborg is ready to knuckle up. Having captured titles in Strikeforce, Invicta, the UFC, and Bellator, Cris Cyborg is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport, regardless of gender. In recent months, she has even dipped her toe into the world of professional boxing, earning back-to-back wins in the […]

Cris Cyborg

Cris Cyborg is ready to knuckle up.

Having captured titles in Strikeforce, Invicta, the UFC, and Bellator, Cris Cyborg is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport, regardless of gender. In recent months, she has even dipped her toe into the world of professional boxing, earning back-to-back wins in the sweet science. Now, Cyborg is looking for a new challenge. Enter Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Coming off an incredibly successful event at the 1stBank Center in Denver, BKFC is riding high and on the minds of many of combat sports’ biggest names, including former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor. The Irishman famously stepped inside the squared circle following the BKFC 41 main event last weekend, facing off with the promotion’s top star ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry.

Intrigued by what she has seen from the promotion online, Cris Cyborg is more than willing to trade in her gloves for a set of hand wraps.

“I’ve seen some of their stuff online – maybe, you know,” Cyborg said in an interview with James Lynch. “Why not? Finish my career doing everything, finish it right!”

Cris Cyborg Believes She Can Learn a Thing or Two From BKFC Brawler Mike Perry

If she can come to terms with the BKFC on a potential appearance, Cris Cyborg would love to train alongside UFC fighter-turned-BKFC brawler, Mike Perry.

“I think it would be fun [bare-knuckle boxing],” Cyborg continued. “People know I like to finish my fights by punches. I know it’s different, a little bit. Maybe if I did boxing, did Muay Thai. I love the challenge, I love training, maybe I could train with Mike Perry and learn a couple things. I don’t know, it’s different, but for sure” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Perry earned his third-straight win under the BKFC banner on Saturday night, scoring a second-round TKO against former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. Prior to the win, ‘Platinum’ landed victories over Julian ‘Let Me Bang, Bro’ Lane, and Bellator MMA’s Michael ‘Venom’ Page. The event also featured the promotional debut of former Bellator and UFC champion Eddie Alvarez who earned a split-decision win over Chad Mendes in the co-main event.

Cris Cyborg expected to remain under Bellator banner amid links to UFC rematch with Amanda Nunes

Cris Cyborg expected to sign with Bellator link to UFC rematch Amanda NunesUndisputed Bellator MMA featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg is currently negotiating terms with the promotion as per president, Scott Coker, amid links with a return to the UFC to score a title rematch with compatriot, Amanda Nunes, with the long-time Bellator leader confident of retaining the Curitiba veteran on his roster. Undefeated since her move to […]

Cris Cyborg expected to sign with Bellator link to UFC rematch Amanda Nunes

Undisputed Bellator MMA featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg is currently negotiating terms with the promotion as per president, Scott Coker, amid links with a return to the UFC to score a title rematch with compatriot, Amanda Nunes, with the long-time Bellator leader confident of retaining the Curitiba veteran on his roster.

Undefeated since her move to the Bellator back in 2020, Cyborg, 37, most recently defeated Arlene Blencoewe in a unanimous decision victory back in Bellator 279 in April of last year in a Hawaii rematch.

Completing her contractual obligations with the organization in her rematch win over the New Zealander, Cris Cyborg, who still remains under the banner of Bellator as per Coker, is expected to return to the promotion later this year, upon the conclusion of negotiations.

Scott Coker confident of signing Cris Cyborg to Bellator MMA contract

Last night in the co-main event of Bellator 293, former UFC bantamweight title challenger, Cat Zingano appeared to stamp her ticket to a featherweight title fight against Cyborg next, taking out Northern Ireland contender, Leah McCourt in a close decision victory.

“I’m not sure what Cat (Zingano) heard [regarding a vacant title fight with Leah McCourt], because I didn’t talk to her directly, but from the company’s standpoint, this was always a three-round [title] elimination fight for the number one contender spot,” Scott Coker told assembled media following Bellator 293. “Cris Cyborg is still the current champion, we still have her under contract right now. We have her under a matching rights provision, we are negotiation with her. And we expect to bring her back at some point this year.”

“Now, it’s going to be a great fight [between Cris Cyborg and Cat Zingano],” Coker explained. “Hopefully we’ll put this together with Cris in the next couple of weeks and her and Cat can work on a big fight for the two of them to fight for Cris’ belt. Somewhere along the line, between my fight team and Ed Soares, and the dialogue, I told them, ‘I don’t know where this got lost,’ but from our perspective, it’s always been a three round [title] elimination fight.” 

Linked with a return to the UFC in an attempt to avenge a December 2018 featherweight title loss to fellow Brazilian favorite, Nunes following the completion of her contractual obligations with Bellator last year, Cyborg suffered a first round KO loss to the Bahia native.

In the time since, Cyborg has defeated Julia Budd, Arlene Blencowe (x2), Leslie Smith, and Sinead Kavanagh during her time under the scrutiny of Bellator.

‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé

Cris Cyborg has once again done something that no one else has ever done before — capture a championship in a fifth major MMA promotion. Cyborg managed to do this by defeating the first two-weight PFL champion, Larissa Pacheco, in the first PFL superfight championship bout as part of the PFL Battle of the Giants […]

Continue Reading ‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé at MMA News.

Cris Cyborg has once again done something that no one else has ever done before — capture a championship in a fifth major MMA promotion.

Cyborg managed to do this by defeating the first two-weight PFL champion, Larissa Pacheco, in the first PFL superfight championship bout as part of the PFL Battle of the Giants pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian now becomes the first fighter to win gold in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, Strikeforce, and Invicta — all at 145 pounds.

The MMA legend used her striking prowess to pressure Pacheco in the begininng of the fight, getting her against the fence before landing a takedown. Cyborg looked for a surprising Von Flue choke, and while her compatriot got back to her feet, she ate a solid head kick. The 39-year-old performed strongly and busted Pacheco open around her ear, though Cyborg wore damage around her eyes.

Both fighters came out strong in the second round, with Cyborg landing a series of strikes and a clean backfist. The veteran applied pressure as she got Pacheco back to the ground. Cyborg remained control in the second round, but Pacheco seemed to battle back in a quieter third round. There, the PFL star got the former UFC champ to the ground, dropping her with a right hand and attacking from the top. Cyborg defended well, but Pacheco looked to open her back up.

Cyborg went on to land strong combinations in the championship rounds, while Pacheco looked to land her own power shots. In the fourth frame, in fact, the reigning Bellator titleholder landed a power shot that appeared to get Pacheco to retreat.

The 39-year-old continued to land at will in the fifth round and ended up taking all three judges’ cards with 49-46 scores.

Cris Cyborg Wins 5th Major MMA Championship, Becomes First-Ever PFL Super Fight Champion

Cyborg entered tonight having lost just twice in her professional MMA career, her pro debut in 2005 and her superfight against Amanda Nunes at the end of 2018.

The first to win gold in four major MMA promotions (Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC and Bellator), the Brazilian had not fought in MMA since her successful Bellator title defense against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 last year.

Meanwhile, this marked Pacheco’s first fight since winning the PFL women’s featherweight title in 2023, becoming the first fighter to win gold in more than one weight class inside the SmartCage. Pacheco won the PFL women’s lightweight title in 2022 in her trilogy fight with Kayla Harrison, becoming the sole loss in Harrison’s MMA career.

Continue Reading ‘The Belt Collector’ – Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, & Others React As Cris Cyborg Adds PFL Gold To Her Résumé at MMA News.

Kayla Harrison Makes Surprising Prediction For Larissa Pacheco vs Cris Cyborg: ‘Unless She’s Been Goofing Off…’

Kayla Harrison fighting Cris Cyborg is a fight that has been spoken about for many years, but looks to be completely off the table at this stage. The former PFL and Bellator champions could’ve put on one of the biggest fights possible outside of the UFC but with Harrison signing to the MMA leader, it […]

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Makes Surprising Prediction For Larissa Pacheco vs Cris Cyborg: ‘Unless She’s Been Goofing Off…’ at MMA News.

Kayla Harrison fighting Cris Cyborg is a fight that has been spoken about for many years, but looks to be completely off the table at this stage.

The former PFL and Bellator champions could’ve put on one of the biggest fights possible outside of the UFC but with Harrison signing to the MMA leader, it wasn’t possible even with Cyborg joining the PFL in the Bellator acquisition.

Now, on October 19, Cyborg will fight a PFL champion but it will instead be the only woman to have beaten the former Olympic Judoka during her pro career.

Larissa Pacheco has won back-to-back PFL tournaments including her shock upset win over the former champ in 2023.

Though Harrison may now be competing at the top of the UFC’s bantamweight division, she has got some thoughts on this match-up between the two greatest rivals of her career so far.

Kayla Harrison Picks Larissa Pacheco To Defeat Cris Cyborg, Says Age A Key Factor

In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Harrison picked Pacheco to get the better of Cyborg when they clash at PFL: Battle Of The Giants.

The bout is set to be the co-main event for the debut of the promotion’s PPV Super Fights division, which will see both the winner of this fight and the main event between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira receive a new Super Fights belt.

Harrison said that as long as Pacheco hasn’t lost her dedication, after being able to earn a lot of money, she has the edge in this fight.

“I think Pacheco wins. She’s young, I mean unless she’s been goofing off, you know. Couple mil will do that sometimes. Couple mil in the bank account makes it hard to get out of bed but she’s young, she’s hungry, she keeps getting better, she’s got real power. Cyborg’s at the end of her career.”

Harrison then elaborated on the idea that in her opinion, Cyborg is in the final stages of her career now at 39 years old, which gives Pacheco an advantage.

The Brazilian MMA icon made her pro debut back in 2005, whereas Pacheco wouldn’t make hers until seven years after in 2012.

“Yeah I think she’s a little bit older and I just think that we like we haven’t seen a lot of progress from her like I don’t see her fight IQ growing. I haven’t seen progression really, she fights the same way now that she fought, you know, however long ago so I think Pacheco is gonna win.”

Read also: Jéssica Andrade Teases Inaugural Women’s BMF Matchup With Retired Legend: ‘I’ve Been Talking To Joanna…’

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Makes Surprising Prediction For Larissa Pacheco vs Cris Cyborg: ‘Unless She’s Been Goofing Off…’ at MMA News.

Julianna Peña Makes Last-Ditch Call For Amanda Nunes Trilogy

Julianna Peña is still making a push for a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes. Peña was able to do the unthinkable in defeating Nunes at UFC 269 by scoring a submission win over the champ-champ to capture the bantamweight strap. Immediately the two were b…

Julianna Peña is still making a push for a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes. Peña was able to do the unthinkable in defeating Nunes at UFC 269 by scoring a submission win over the champ-champ to capture the bantamweight strap. Immediately the two were booked for a season of coaching TUF, which led to a…

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Makes Last-Ditch Call For Amanda Nunes Trilogy at MMA News.