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You can argue about who the greatest female fighter in mixed martial arts is, but there’s no denying that Cris Cyborg is the most decorated champion in the sport regardless of gender. Cyborg put even more distance between her contemporaries in the PFL Battle of the Giants by winning her fifth title in a major mixed martial arts promotion.
The Cyborgs rose to new heights on Saturday in the first leg of their three-game Heritage Tour. Cyborg defeated Larissa Pachecho in a clash between defending champions Bellator and PFL to win the PFL women’s super featherweight title. It is her fifth title in a major promotion after holding titles in Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC and Bellator. Cyborg is also known as MMA’s only Grand Slam Champion by winning titles in four major promotions.
Cyborg – who was known as the sport’s premier female boxer throughout most of her 19-year career – relied on her sophisticated wrestling game to overcome Pacheco. Cyborg overcame a nasty cut to her eyebrow to win by four rounds on the judges’ scorecards. The fight was more competitive on the feet, but Cyborg had her moments there. It is worth noting that Cyborg delivered a clean head kick in the first round that bounced Pacheco’s head off the fence.
Cyborg (28-2, 1 NC) extended her winning streak to eight since losing her UFC women’s featherweight title to Amanda Nunes in 2018. Pacheco (23-5) has an impressive 10-fight win streak, which includes victories on top of UFC competitor Kayla Harrison and former Bellator champion Julia Budd.
Cyborg expressed his desire to return to the PFL cage in February. The reigning champion announced ahead of Saturday’s PFL card that her next three fights would be her last. Cyborg’s planned retirement will conclude a legendary 20-year career.