Cris Cyborg defends the featherweight throne at Bellator 279, this Saturday, in an event with two title fights

C. Cyborg after victory in Bellator 271. Photo/Reproduction: @bellator.europe

Adored by surfers, the city of Honolulu, in Hawaii (USA), will be the stage for two title fights in the Bellator 279. This Saturday (23), the legendary Chris Cyborg debuts in the 2022 season and is looking for his fourth title defense at featherweight (up to 65,7kg.). The Brazilian will face Arlene Blencowe, her victim in 2020. In addition to the commitment of the native of Curitiba, the show will feature an interim belt fight in the bantamweight category (up to 61,2kg).

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Considered one of the best MMA fighters of all time, Cyborg will once again climb into the circular cage and try to maintain her 100% success in the organization. The Brazilian wants to repeat the great performance of her first meeting with Blencowe, when she submitted her rival in the second round.

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With the injury of Sergio Pettis, linear bantamweight champion, Juan Archuleta and Raufeon Stots were promoted to challengers for the group's interim belt. The fighters face each other with an eye on the opportunity to unify the title in the near future.

In addition to Cyborg, two more Brazilians will be on this weekend's card. Representative of welterweights (Up to 77kg.), Goiti Yamauchi competes against Levan Chokheli, on the preliminary card.

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The show will also feature the opening fight of the bantamweight Grand Prix. In his debut fight, former champion Kyoji Horiguchi shares the circular cage with Patchy mix.

Still in the first half of the show, more Brazilian. In a delicate situation in the company, Dayana Silva seeks to recover in the clash against Janay Harding. The fight will be contested at featherweight.

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Cyborg x Blencowe: does history repeat itself?

Absolute at featherweight since debuting in Bellator in 2020, Cyborg has proven, with each appearance, to be worthy of the group's throne. This weekend, the Brazilian will meet again with the person responsible for her first title defense in the company.

When they shared the cage, Arlene was unable to be competitive against the Brazilian legend. Technically superior, the athlete avoided her main characteristic, the knockout, and submitted her rival in the second round.

Since overcoming Blencowe, Cris has carried out two more successful title defenses. Both Leslie Smith and Sinead Kavanagh failed in their attempt to dethrone the Curitiba native, and ended up heavily knocked out.

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The stumble against Cyborg in 2020 does not seem to have shaken the Australian's confidence. Even with the defeat, the fighter returned to the path of victory, winning two consecutive victories, and resuming her status as challenger. Today, Arlene is number one in the ranking headed by Tupiniquim.

Interim belt on roosters

With the bantamweight champion, Sergio Pettis, injured, the organization decided to select Juan Archuleta and Raufeon Stots for a clash for the group's interim title.

On the one hand, Archuleta will step into the cage with the dream of reclaiming the throne lost to Pettis in May 2021. This will be the athlete's first challenge since losing his status as category leader. On that occasion, the athlete was defeated by Sergio in a unanimous decision by the judges, after 25 minutes of confrontation.

Former LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance) representative, Raufeon Stots will have his first opportunity to compete for a title in Bellator. Undefeated in the organization, the athlete has accumulated five consecutive victories in the company chaired by Scott Coker.

Whoever triumphs in the co-main fight will 'stamp their passport' to challenge Sergio to a title unification fight.