The MMA world is witnessing the ultimate chapter of certainly one of its best tales. Cris Cyborg, the 40-year-old Brazilian featherweight powerhouse, has her retirement struggle formally set. The PFL introduced that Cyborg will face Ketlen Vieira on August 22 at PFL Tampa, introduced by Go to St. Pete-Clearwater on the Benchmark Worldwide Enviornment. This bout marks the tip of a profession spanning greater than 20 years in fight sports activities.
Cris Cyborg’s Final Struggle Booked Towards Ketlen Viera within the PFL
MMA legend Cris Cyborg stated her plan clearly: end her two ultimate fights, then retire from MMA. The choice comes after she defeated Sara Collins at PFL Lyon in December 2025, her 18th world championship struggle victory. Cyborg made historical past with that win, changing into the primary fighter in MMA historical past, male or feminine, to safe 18 world title victories.
Her document stands at 29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest as of late 2024, with 21 of these wins coming by knockout. Cyborg is the one Grand Slam Champion in MMA historical past, having received championships throughout 4 main promotions: Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC, and Bellator MMA. She additionally added PFL MMA to that record, changing into a five-promotional champion. Her title defenses included two in Strikeforce, three in Invicta FC, two in UFC, and 5 in Bellator.
Ketlen Vieira brings her personal formidable résumé. Vieira is a Brazilian bantamweight from Manaus who not too long ago departed the UFC following a victory in July 2023, having been ranked because the quantity 5 bantamweight within the group. Vieira holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on grappling and clinch work, which presents a stylistic distinction to Cyborg’s putting dominance.
Vieira’s black belt-level grappling and bodily clinch recreation will take a look at Cyborg’s legendary stand-up. Cyborg has by no means confronted a grappler with Vieira’s credentials in her ultimate bouts, making this a real problem for her legacy tour.
The occasion takes place in Tampa, Florida, on August 22, 2026. The PFL partnered with Go to St. Pete-Clearwater because the official sponsor, connecting the struggle to Florida’s coastal tourism. Tampa has turn into a rising hub for fight sports activities occasions, with town internet hosting a number of PFL competitions lately.
Vieira steps into the highlight as Cyborg’s ultimate opponent, an opportunity to finish a legend’s profession on her personal phrases. The PFL positioned this struggle because the fruits of Cyborg’s legacy tour, which started along with her bout in opposition to Larissa Pacheco. The MMA neighborhood will watch Tampa with anticipation. Cyborg’s ultimate bow comes in opposition to a ranked opponent
