Cris Cyborg looked to make the third defense of her featherweight title at Bellator 271 on Friday.
One of the most dominant female fighters in history, with only Amanda Nunes arguably ahead of her, Cyborg’s performances had reached a point where they could be compared only to her own previous efforts. In that sense, a strong showing against a clearly game, but on paper mismatched Sinead Kavanagh was key. Anything less than absolute domination would lead fight fans to say the Brazilian had slowed.
For her part, Ireland’s Kavanagh refused to be intimated by the legendary Brazilian, and accused her during fight week of playing “mind games,” including leaving Squid Games cards with her photo on them around the fighter hotel.
In the co-main event on Friday, top-ranked heavyweights Tyrell Fortune and Linton Vassell faced off. The fight might under other circumstances produce the next title contender, but with both Ryan Bader (c) and Valentin Moldavsky (ic) holding gold at heavyweight, plus the reemergence of Fedor Emelianenko, that might have to wait.
Bellator 271 takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Friday, November 12, 2021. Full results from the event can be found below. The Bellator 271 live stream is available above (preliminary card only) and, where available, the main card is below.
Bellator 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh Results
Main Card
Cris Cyborg (c) def. Sinead Kavanagh by KO, Round 1, 1:32 – for the Bellator MMA women’s featherweight championship
Linton Vassell def. Tyrell Fortune by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Aaron Pico def. Justin Gonzales by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Arlene Blencowe def. Pam Sorenson by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary card
Steve Mowry def. Rakim Cleveland by submission (kimura), Round 1, 3:28
Bruna Ellen def. Desiree Yanez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Roman Faraldo def. Robert Turnquest by knockout (flying knee), Round 1, 1:17
Cody Law def. Colton Hamm by knockout, Round 1, 4:21
Valerie Loureda def. Taylor Turner by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Mo DeReese by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ethan Hughes def. Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie by TKO, Round 3, 4:05
