Bellator MMA women’s featherweight champ Cris Cyborg has made a successful transition to the world of boxing, and continued that journey on Friday, absolutely obliterating her most recent opponent.
Cyborg, who now stands at 3-0 as a boxer (27-2, 1NC in MMA) was paired up with Kelsey Wickstrom at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Wickstrom, 36, started the night at 2-0, but clearly lacked the sort of combat sports resume Cyborg possesses, and it showed.
Just under a minute and a half into the fight, Cyborg landed a club-like overhand right, bludgeoning Wickstrom on the temple and sending her crashing to the canvas. Wickstrom face planted as she tried to regain her feet, and the ref waved things off, handing Cyborg her third victory inside the ring in roughly a year and a half.
Cris Cyborg’s one hit KNOCKOUT!🤯#criscyborg #boxing #KO pic.twitter.com/GSZxwZcX4p
— Spectation Sports (@SpectationNet) January 20, 2024
The Brazilian, who still holds Bellator gold, previously defeated Simone da Silva and Gabrielle Holloway. Both of those fights went the distance, making Friday night Cyborg’s first stoppage as a boxer.
Due to her engagement with Wickstrom, Cris Cyborg was left off of the upcoming PFL x Bellator crossover event in Saudi Arabia — a notable hit to that card. Given her quick work on Friday, there’s a slim chance she could be a late addition, though it’s more likely she returns to the cage for Bellator — now being run as its own promotion by the PFL — or the PFL itself later this year. Kayla Harrison and Larissa Pacheco remain potential opponents, while Leah McCourt may be a dark horse.
On the MMA side of things, Cyborg most recently competed at Bellator 300 in October, finishing Cat Zingano by TKO.
