Cris Cyborg’s PFL title fight could be her last on August 22

Cris Cyborg will defend her 145-pound PFL title against Ketlen Vieira on August 22, with the fight potentially marking the end of a 21-year career. The Brazilian is an eight-time defending champion across Bellator and the PFL and will headline PFL Tampa against the former UFC contender.

Cyborg said the bout is the final contest on her current PFL contract, but she has not decided whether it will be her retirement fight. She intends to compete at her highest level before discussing the next step with her team and family, as well as taking time to pray about the decision.

The matchup came together after PFL approached Cyborg about Vieira, who joined the promotion as a free agent after leaving the UFC. Cyborg accepted the assignment, saying that champions do not normally choose their opponents. She described her training camp as successful and added 22-year-old featherweight Jaeleen Robledo to a group that includes Lerryan Douglas, Thomas Pho and Richie Miranda.

Experience is the advantage Cyborg identifies most clearly. She is targeting a 30th professional victory and a 19th world championship win, which would move her beyond Jon Jones’ 17 such victories. Cyborg also believes her familiarity with five-round fights will be important against Vieira.

Cyborg began her professional career in 2005 and became a champion at Strikeforce and Invicta FC before entering the UFC in 2016. She won the UFC featherweight belt and defended it twice, with her only defeat since her debut coming against Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 in December 2018. She moved to Bellator in 2020 and remained unbeaten through 10 fights before the promotion’s move into the PFL structure following its 2023 acquisition.

Her career has also included professional boxing and landmark moments for women’s MMA. Alongside Gina Carano, Cyborg helped bring greater attention to female fighters during a period when the sport was still seeking wider recognition. She said the journey has left her without regrets, recalling major events in Curitiba, Hawaii, San Diego, Miami, Tampa and Lyon as part of a career shaped by travel and competition.