Bellator MMA women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has announced her long-awaited professional boxing debut.
Cyborg (26-2, 1NC MMA) will face ex-Brazilian Nation Boxing Champion and four-time World Champion Contender Simone Silva (17-21 boxing) on September 25, 2022 in her home town of Curitiba, Brazil inside the Arena Da Baixada soccer stadium.
The fight will be held under the Fight Music Show banner, and be contested at middleweight, with a title on the line.
Cyborg last competed in April, defeating Arlene Blencowe to defend her Bellator MMA women’s featherweight championship for the fourth time. A champion in every major promotion she has fought for, the Brazilian has held gold in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and the UFC.
“Simone Silva is a former Brazilian national boxing champion who has boxed all over the world against some of the sport’s best female World Champions while representing Brazil on the global stage,” Cris Cyborg was quoted as saying in a press release announcing the match-up on Wednesday. “She has fought for a World Championship in boxing four different times during her career and is a proven and durable veteran who is going to be a real challenge for my first experience inside of the boxing ring. I am excited to challenge myself in a completely different sport and see where my potential in boxing measures.”
Cyborg recently entered free agency, though currently retains her status as Bellator MMA’s women’s featherweight champion.
