Cris Cyborg clarifies retirement plans ahead of fight against Ketlen Vieira
The PFL champion says her upcoming fight against Ketlen Vieira is the final bout of her current contract, but not necessarily her MMA career.
At 41 years old and with a professional MMA career spanning more than 20 years, Cris Cyborg might be close to retirement. However, her next fight against Ketlen Vieira at PFL on Aug. 22 may not be her final career appearance, despite being announced by the promotion as such. The multiple-time champion has clarified that the upcoming bout will be the last on her PFL contract, but not necessarily the final fight of her MMA career. The longtime women's MMA star admitted retirement remains a possibility, but said she wants to see how she feels after her next fight before deciding what comes next.
Cris Cyborg Clarifies Retirement Plans
PFL's announcement of the bout against Vieira claimed it would be Cyborg's final MMA fight. But according to the Brazilian, that may not be the case. Speaking on the Undefeated & Undisputed podcast, the multiple-time champion made a point of clarifying that the fight will be the last on her contract with the promotion. As for retirement, Cyborg said she still needs to think about it before making a decision.
"Just to make it clear to you all, this isn't the last fight (of my career), it's the last fight on my PFL contract," Cyborg explained. "It might be my last fight. I want to see how I feel in my next fight against Ketlen Vieira, I want to sit down with my team, I want to figure out what's the best next chapter for my life. But this is the last fight on my PFL contract."
Cris Cyborg's Legendary career
Widely regarded as one of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time, Cyborg holds multiple titles in different promotions and is the only fighter to win major MMA world championships in five different organizations. The Brazilian has won gold in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC, Bellator and PFL. Known for her vicious striking, Cyborg has won 21 of her 29 victories by knockout or TKO and has only lost two fights in her entire career.
For now, Cyborg's retirement remains a possibility rather than a certainty. Her fight against Vieira will mark the end of her PFL contract and potentially her MMA career. But the Brazilian wants to wait before deciding whether it is time to close this chapter.
