What could very well be Cris Cyborg’s final fight for the PFL, and perhaps even her last in MMA, was thrown for a loop when would-be featherweight title challenger Ketlen Vieira missed weight.
“Missed” is putting it mildly. Vieira was wide by a country mile, or just north of seven pounds in any case. Yet Cyborg, not wanting a chance at defending her PFL title snatched from her grasp, accepted the bout as a title fight, albeit one-sided, despite the chasm in weight. Vieira wouldn’t be eligible to win the belt, but at PFL Tampa on Friday, Cyborg was absolutely able to lose it.
Early, it was Vieira pressing the attack, while Cyborg countered. Midway into the round, the champ looked to pursue a takedown, and struggled with the size of Vieira, who seemingly would not budge. The champ went back to working from the outside, moving laterally, while Vieira walked her down. Cyborg mixed in kicks, with Vieira firing a few of her own, not quite as fluidly.
Vieira continued to press in round two, looking noticably thick and standing toe-to-toe with the fearsome, legendary Cyborg. The best strike of the round might have been a Cyborg leg kick, but Vieira connected with a right hand just after that resulting in a quick, violent exchange between the pair before they clinched up.
Round three finally saw the pair go to the ground, Cyborg on top, looking to land heavy punches. She would back off then re-engage, sneaking in a few more right hands before getting back in guard. Cyborg appeared to be cruising through the round, but when they came up along the fence, Cyborg landed a low knee, leading to a break in the action.
When they got back underway, Cyborg appeared to have tired, and was tagged by a left hand in the final minute, during an exchange. There wasn’t a ton behind it, however, and they fought on. Vieira found herself getting hit with a left and right to the body.
Round four of the PFL Tampa main event saw Cyborg chopping at Vieira’s lead leg, then firing a kick to the midsection that fell short. She jabbed to the body as well, ducked under a punch but couldn’t land the takedown that followed. A kick to the side did land for Cyborg, though it might have been thrown with the intent of hitting the head. Later in the round, they’d go to the ground with Vieira settling in on top, landing some serious damage on the champ.
Round five started with an interesting question: was the fight tied? Or could Vieira even be up? Cyborg landed an early takedown, after her corner suggested the fight was tied 2-2 after four rounds. Vieira didn’t stay down long, and was right back to her feet. Not long after it was Vieira’s turn to get the fight down, and she stayed heavy on the champ. Not doing any damage, but not letting her move. Cyborg would get up before the horn, all of a minute to go, and smashed Vieira with a right hand! She would fire knees in a clinch, with the final move of the fight an overhand right from the champ.
At age 41, that right hand may be the final punch of Cris Cyborg’s decorated MMA career, though she has signaled she intends to continue to compete as a boxer. Asked what’s next, Cris Cyborg replied “I’m ready for anybody. I’m a free agent, I’m excited. Eight years undefeated. I’m ready for anybody. Any time, any weight.” Though first up, she’s becoming a grandmother, with her daughter having a son any day now. She also still called for a fight with Claressa Shields, then singled out UFC champ Kayla Harrison, who was cageside.
So, perhaps not done in MMA after all then.
Official Result: Cris Cyborg (c) def. Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
