Cyborg to end glittering career with Viera fight

Cris Cyborg after beating Larissa Pacheco in October 2024

Image source, PFLImage caption,

Cris Cyborg has earned 21 knockouts in her career

ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport Journalist

Published35 minutes ago

Cris Cyborg will defend her PFL featherweight world title against Ketlen Viera in what is set to be the final MMA fight of her glittering career.

The 40-year-old - widely regarded as one of the best women's mixed martial artists of all time - will face fellow Brazilian Viera in Tampa, Florida on 22 August.

A former UFC featherweight champion, Cyborg has won world titles across five promotions in an enduring 20-year career.

She last fought in December, stopping Sara Collins to claim the inaugural PFL featherweight belt after the Bellator titles were rebranded, for her ninth straight win.

Following victory, Cyborg said she would fight once more in MMA in 2026, but did not rule out continuing to box.

Writing on X, Cyborg says the fight with Viera was set up after boxing world champion Claressa Shields turned down a bout between the pair.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Shields will drop down to middleweight to face WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott on 15 August.

"This was why I'm returning to MMA instead of boxing Claressa Shields," said Cyborg.

"Since Claressa Shields has turned down my $2,000,000 offer to fight the 5-1 Kaye Scott, I might as well return to MMA and defend my PFL belt."

Cyborg added she is "excited" for the "great challenge" Viera, 34, will provide.

Viera left the UFC this year after winning 10 of her 15 fights in the promotion.

Cyborg made her debut in 2005 and has won 29 of her 32 fights, with 21 victories coming via knockout.

Hughes to return in 2027 after surgery

Paul Hughes says he is targeting a return to MMA in "early 2027" after undergoing his second surgery inside four months.

Derry's Hughes pulled out of his lightweight bout against Jay-Jay Wilson in Belfast in March because of a knee injury, before having an operation on his leg.

Writing on Instagram, the 29-year-old has not revealed what his second surgery was for, adding he has "kept this one close to my chest".

"The truth is my body broke down towards the end of last year. My mental strength pushed me to try to do the impossible. I got close, not a single regret," added Hughes.

"I then did everything possible to rehab at the beginning of the year to make the Belfast card. Unfortunately my body had reached its limit and surgeries became the last remaining option to continue my career."

Hughes lost twice in title bouts to Russian PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov last year.

After making his debut in 2017, Hughes has won 14 of his 17 fights, securing seven knockouts.