Cris Cyborg Proves She Still Has Plenty Left in the Tank at PFL Tampa
While the event was centered around what could be the last hurrah of an all-time legend, Cris Cyborg showed no signs of slowing down.
She may not be slowing down, but she was definitely a different beast while still being the monster fans have come to know.
Perhaps part of the reason was Ketlen Vieira missing weight by seven pounds, weighing in at 152 pounds for the featherweight championship bout. Whatever the reason, Cyborg, normally a pressure-heavy bruiser, instead became a movement-heavy fighter, patiently picking her shots.
The body work was imperative for Cyborg in the early rounds before she landed a takedown in the third. With no fear, Vieira continued moving forward throughout the fight, even putting Cyborg on her back in the fourth and fifth rounds. But the decisive decision win went in favor of Cyborg.
In her post-fight speech, Cyborg continued to look toward a bright future, once again calling out current boxing world champion Claressa Shields and UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.
If this was Cyborg’s final MMA fight, she would ended her career on a 10-fight winning streak in MMA and with the incredible distinction of having won championships in five different promotions.
No. 2-ranked lightweight contender Gadzhi Rabadanov also made a definitive statement, walking down Tracy Reeder, putting him on his back, and pounding his way to a first-round TKO.
Another huge aspect of the event was the movement in the rankings. None was bigger than No. 8-ranked Brazilian prospect Sabrina de Sousa outpointing—and even taking down—former UFC title challenger and No. 3-ranked PFL women’s flyweight contender Taila Santos in a convincing decision victory.
2025 PFL Africa bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele made it two wins in four weeks. The “King” followed up his decision victory over UFC veteran Brandon Davis by outstriking No. 8-ranked bantamweight contender Marcirley Alves.
Also at bantamweight, debuting Daniel Marcos scored a third-round TKO over Magomed Magomedov. Magomedov’s team threw in the towel in the third round after he attempted to fight through a dislocated left shoulder suffered at the end of the second.
Cyborg may have been the centerpiece of the night, but the event also produced major movement throughout the PFL rankings. Whether this was the final chapter of Cyborg’s MMA career or simply another chapter in an already legendary run, her ability to remain a championship-level force continues to be remarkable.
Quick Results
Main Card
- PFL Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg (30-2) def. Ketlen Vieira (16-6) by (48-47, 49-46 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov (28-5-2) def. Tracy Reeder (12-6) by TKO (round Strikes) 4:38 R1
- Women’s Flyweight: Sabrinna de Sousa (7-0) def. Talia Santos (23-5) by (29-28, 30-27 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Light Heavyweight: Luke Trainer (11-1) def. Roland Dunlap (7-1) by TKO (Team Kick & Ground Strikes) 2:52 R2
- Bantamweight: Nkosi Ndebele (14-3) def. Marcirley Alves (15-6) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) Unanimous Decision
Preliminary Card
- Bantamweight: Daniel Marcos (19-1) def. Magomed Magomedov (22-6) by TKO (Corner Stoppage/ Left Shoulder Injury) 0:11 R3
- Bantamweight: Javid Basharat (16-2) def. Movsar Ibragimov (8-2) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Dakota Bush (17-4) def. Morques Forest (8-2) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Split Decision
- Lightweight: Natan Schulte (26-6-1) def. Artur Zaynukov (19-5) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Gino Van Steenis (9-2) def. Robert Watley (16-5) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Welterweight: Eoin Sheridan (6-0) def. James Vake (7-3) by KO (Knee) 4:09 R1
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