Cris Cyborg Discusses Upcoming Fight and Future Plans

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Cris Cyborg is set to face former top UFC bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira on Saturday, August 22. This match could mark the final fight of her career. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Cyborg shared her thoughts on her career, the state of MMA today, and her post-retirement plans.

Cyborg’s Current Fight Outlook

Despite speculation that this could be Cyborg’s retirement fight, she highlighted that it might not be the end. This weekend’s featherweight title fight is her last on her current PFL contract. “This is my next fight,” Cyborg stated. “It could be my last fight, but it’s my last on the contract with the PFL.” At 41, she feels she is fighting better than at 21 and considers it an honor to fight Vieira, a top 10 UFC division athlete.

Reflection on Women’s MMA

Cyborg reflected on the evolution of women’s MMA. “When I started training, there weren’t many women fighting,” she noted. Inspiration came from fighters in other disciplines, especially Lucia Rijker, a Dutch kickboxing and boxing champion. Cyborg admired male fighters like Fedor Emelianenko and Ernest Hoost, aspiring to bring the excitement of men’s fights to women’s competition.

Predictions for Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison

Cyborg shared her thoughts on a potential fight between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison. “Amanda Nunes has a lot of tools to beat Kayla,” she said. She believes Kayla will focus on grappling, while Nunes’ success depends on stopping take-downs. Despite Kayla’s past activity, Cyborg acknowledged her recent neck surgery as a factor.

Future Plans: Veterinary School

After her MMA career, Cyborg plans to pursue veterinary school. “I believe you have to love what you do,” she explained. Her passion for helping animals aligns with her childhood dream. Cyborg looks forward to a fulfilling new chapter that does not focus on financial gain but personal enjoyment.

The Cyborg-Viera fight will be held on August 22 in Tampa Bay, Florida. Additional information about Cris Cyborg is available online.