Cris Cyborg Defends Featherweight Championship
In a commanding display, Cris Cyborg successfully defended her featherweight championship at PFL Lyon by submitting Sara Collins with a rear-naked choke in the third round. This triumph marked only the second time in her extensive 32-fight career that the Brazilian secured a victory via submission, demonstrating her grappling prowess against an opponent who came in with an undefeated record.
Collins, a former judoka, was unable to keep pace with Cyborg’s relentless pressure, despite managing two takedowns throughout the fight. The 40-year-old fighter celebrated her victory by scaling the cage and reveling in the adoration of the crowd, solidifying her status as one of the all-time greats in women’s mixed martial arts after achieving 29 wins in her career.
Future Plans and Aspirations
As Cyborg nears the twilight of her illustrious career, she has announced her intention to retire next year, with plans for her final MMA bout. Setting her sights on British flyweight Dakota Ditcheva and Northern Ireland’s Leah McCourt, she expressed:
“I would like to fight Leah McCourt. If she is not available, I can go and cut weight and meet in the middle with Ditcheva.”
Cyborg’s aspirations include a farewell fight in MMA, though she also hopes to engage in boxing, revealing her love for the sport.
Potential Matchups
Ditcheva, undefeated and a significant figure in the MMA scene after becoming the first British woman to earn a world title in 2024, will be facing Dutch fighter Denise Kielholtz in February. The potential matchup with Cyborg poses challenges, as Ditcheva would be at a disadvantage competing against the seasoned fighter.
Cyborg’s championship belt, formerly held in Bellator, now stands as a PFL title after the promotion’s acquisition of Bellator in 2023. While the Brazilian has never competed professionally at flyweight, her conversations about a catchweight bout with Ditcheva reflect the realities and difficulties of cutting weight.
Main Event Highlights
In the main event, Vadim Nemkov claimed the PFL heavyweight title, swiftly defeating Renan Ferreira in the first round using an arm triangle submission. This victory elevates Nemkov to a two-division champion status after successfully moving up from light heavyweight. Following his win, he issued a challenge to former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who recently mentioned his PFL contract is nearing its end and is seeking another fight soon.
