Photo by Bellator MMA
Combat sports queen Cris Cyborg retained her Bellator MMA crown as she scored the 21st finish of her illustrious career, flattening Sinead Kavanagh at the Bellator 271 event Friday.
Cyborg, 36, has fought - and won - championships in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and the UFC.
She won the Bellator featherweight title in 2020 with a knockout performance against Julia Budd, and has defended her championship against Arlene Blencowe and Leslie Smith.
Her most recent match - a third featherweight title defense against Kavanagh - epitomized her run at Bellator, as she finished the Irishwoman with ease.
In the simplest terms, Cyborg is levels above the Bellator roster. She rules.
At the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, Cyborg needed only 92 seconds to detonate a bomb of a right hook on Kavanagh's jaw.
The shot did enough damage to put her opponent down and out.
One shot - boom.
-BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2021
To be sure of the victory, Cyborg pounced on Kavanagh and hit her flush with three hammer fists before the referee intervened.
Watch it in full here:
-BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2021
"I had a feeling about the fight, I feel great," said Cyborg in a post-match statement sent to Insider. "I am happy with the win."
"The right hand did it fast and was the key. I was very excited for the count."
Victory advanced Cyborg's pro MMA record to 25 wins (20 knockouts, one submission, and four decisions) against two losses.
The two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison sat cageside for the bout. Cyborg said she would welcome a fight against her, should she ever leave the PFL for Bellator MMA.
"I really appreciate Kayla Harrison coming to the fight," Cyborg said. "If she wants to fight me one day, that would be great."
Photo by Bellator MMA
Elsewhere on the card, Linton Vassell defeated Tyrell Fortune, Arlene Blencowe out-pointed Pam Sorenson, and Aaron Pico outclassed Justin Gonzales to win a unanimous decision.
Pico is one of the most exciting up-coming fighters in Bellator, but Friday's fight was the first time he went the distance.
"It is the first time I've gone three rounds," said Pico. "It's my first decision. I need the experience. I'm happy I got the win.
He continued: "I knew I was the dominant performer, but I have to get better. I am just so hard on myself. I want to finish guys.
"Let's go back to the drawing board. Once I step out of this cage, it's going to be a whole different ball game. I have to get prepared for the next opponent, so let's get to work."
