Women’s featherweight juggernaut Cris Cyborg returns to action on Friday, facing a very motivated Sinead Kavanagh atop the Bellator 271 card.
Since her arrival in Bellator early last year, Cyborg (24-2, 1NC) has won the 145lb title and defended it twice. She’ll be looking for title defense #3 against Ireland’s Kavanagh, who accused the champ of “mind games” ahead of the fight. Mind games that included Cyborg leaving “Squid Games” cards with her face on them throughout the fighter hotel this week.
With Kavanagh stating that Cyborg gets too much respect in the cage, the stage was set for a fiery title fight this Friday.
In the co-main event, heavyweights were set to throw down, with both Tyrell Fortune and Linton Vassell hoping to inch closer to a title shot.
Weigh-ins for Bellator 271 take place Thursday — check in for full results. The ceremonial weigh-in takes place at 1PM ET.
Cris Cyborg and Sinead Kavanagh both successfully made championship weight on Thursday. There were a few hiccups — Pam Sorenson came in 0.8lbs heavy on her first attempt, but with additional time hit the featherweight limit. Jordan Newman came in heavy for his middleweight fight with Shane O’Shea, who did not weigh in at all. That fight has been cancelled.
Bellator 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh Weigh-In Results
Main Card
Women’s Featherweight: Cris Cyborg (c) (145) vs. Sinead Kavanagh (145)
Heavyweight: Linton Vassell (239.2) vs. Tyrell Fortune (253.8)
Featherweight: Aaron Pico (145.4) vs. Justin Gonzales (145.6)
Women’s Featherweight: Arlene Blencowe (145.8) vs. Pam Sorenson (146)
Heavyweight: Steve Mowry (249.6) vs. Rakim Cleveland (249.6)
Preliminary Card
Women’s Flyweight: Bruna Ellen (125.6) vs. Desiree Yanez (125.4)
Welterweight: Roman Faraldo (171) vs. Robert Turnquest (170.8)
Featherweight: Cody Law (145.4) vs. Colton Hamm (145.8)
128lb Catchweight: Valerie Loureda (127.6) vs. Taylor Turner (127.2)
Middleweight: Jordan Newman (187.6) vs. Shane O’Shea
Welterweight: Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie (170.8) vs. Ethan Hughes (170.8)
Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (256.6) vs. Mo DeReese (255)
