Summary
Cris Cyborg with her belts. Photo: Reproduction/X
Cris Cyborg is officially retiring from MMA. In an interview with the American website Bloody Elbow, the Brazilian announced that 2026 will be her last year in the sport. Her contract with the PFL is nearing its end, and she is expected to leave the category after that.
See too
Cris Cyborg 's farewell begins next week in France. She defends her featherweight title (up to 65,8 kg) at the PFL Lyon 2025 card, scheduled for December 13th, against Australian Sara Collins. This will be the 20th world title fight in the Curitiba native's career. Despite her extensive experience, the Brazilian made it clear that she still thinks like a competitor.
“I’m very grateful, I have to enjoy every moment, every part of training, every time I step into the octagon or the ring, because this will end and I have to give it my all,” Cris Cyborg told Bloody Elbow.
2️⃣
The PFL Women's Featherweight World Title is on the line in Lyon, France!
@criscyborg Sara Collins #PFLLyon | Sat Dec 13th | LDLC Arena, Lyon | LIVE on the ESPN app | ️ ON SALE NOW! https://t.co/ZehUv3rDRN pic.twitter.com/lDigXXScLJ
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2025
Cris Cyborg's Numbers
Cris Cyborg will complete 21 years of her professional career in 2026. The Brazilian has amassed enormous achievements in MMA: world champion in Strikeforce, Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she still defends the featherweight title. These are decades of many accomplishments.
Out of the octagon since her victory against Larissa Pacheco at PFL 2024 in October in Saudi Arabia, Cris Cyborg has remained active in boxing. As a professional boxer, she has won all seven of her fights. The Brazilian's last fight was against Precious Harris-McCray in May, winning by technical knockout in the second round.
“Every time I try to sit on the couch, the team calls me crazy and sends me another boxing match. That keeps me alive, motivated. We're going to finish this journey together,” Cris Cyborg concluded.
Sara Collins attempts to maintain her undefeated record against Cris Cyborg.
Cyborg's next opponent, Sara Collins, is not just another name on the poster. The Australian has won all six of her professional MMA fights. She's a dangerous finisher, remembered for submitting Leah McCourt with a rear-naked choke in the first round in September 2025. And she's preparing to face the Brazilian.
“I never thought this would happen, I’m so excited. From the beginning, she ( Cris Cyborg ) has always been the best in the featherweight division, so I always saw her as ‘the ultimate goal’… it was always about training to prepare myself to one day fight Cyborg. I didn’t think this would actually happen, but here we are and it’s happening, I’m super excited, very grateful,” Sara Collins told Bloody Elbow.
Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.
You need to log in to comment.