Cris Cyborg earned an entertaining win in a fight against a surprisingly competitive Felicia Spencer in the co-main of UFC 240.
The co-main event of UFC 240 in Edmonton Saturday night was set to feature the returning Cris Cyborg against undefeated former Invicta FC champ Felicia Spencer. The narrative heading into the fight had all been about Cyborg’s contract situation and yet another spat with Dana White. But outside of those distractions, the real question was how Cyborg would look coming off her first loss in years. One that saw her lose her prized 145lb title.
Not to mention whether Spencer, a Canadian training out of Florida who was relatively young in her career, would be able to handle the powerful force that is Cris Cyborg.
Spencer landed two clean right hands to start the fight, but it didn’t do much. Cyborg started throwing everything and the kitchen sink at Spencer, landing big combinations. Spencer landed an elbow that opened up Cyborg on the backfoot and she looked for a takedown. Cyborg separated, then landed another brutal combination. Cyborg landed some brutal leg kicks and mixed it up to the body and head. Spencer landed a nice elbow and then got the fight into the clinch. Spencer couldn’t get the takedown, and the two spent the rest of the round in the clinch.
Round two, Cyborg threw a head kick, but Spencer caught it and got the fight to the clinch. Spencer landed some no-look elbows in the clinch, but Cyborg dragged her to the ground. Cyborg ended up on top and landed some big punches, then got into north-south position. Cyborg stood back up and allowed Spencer to return to her feet. Cyborg landed some nice punches to end the round, including a clean superman punch. Felicia Spencer has a chin.
In the third, Cyborg landed some nice shots, Spencer rushed in for a takedown, Cyborg expected it and landed a giant knee to the body. Spencer landed a nice head kick, but Cyborg brushed it off. Spencer got the clinch, but Cyborg reversed the position and landed a brutal combination. Cyborg got back into the clinch and landed some more knees. Cyborg landed some nice hooks and more powerful punches throughout the rest of the round. Spencer showed heart, but couldn’t do much in the third round.
Cris Cyborg got the big win she needed coming off a loss to Amanda Nunes, and while Felicia Spencer showed heart, it wasn’t enough to get the victory.
Cris Cyborg def. Felicia Spencer via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
