PFL confirms Cris Cyborg's MMA retirement fight opponent and date, as she faces ex-UFC fighter

Cris Cyborg's next opponent and fight date have been officially announced by the PFL (Professional Fighters League). It'll mark the final professional mixed martial arts matchup of the legendary Brazilian-American fighter's career. 

Currently 40 years of age, the veteran Cyborg boasts a multi-sport professional combat sports career spanning over two decades. Her upcoming MMA retirement fight will transpire just over a month after she turns 41. 

PFL officially announces Cris Cyborg's next MMA fight, and its date, against former UFC fighter Ketlen Vieira

Cris Cyborg is known to be the only fighter, irrespective of gender, to have captured world Championships in five major MMA organizations. She bagged the featherweight titles in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC, Bellator MMA, and PFL. 

Cyborg's latest MMA fight witnessed her submit Sara Collins to become the inaugural PFL women's featherweight champion in December of last year. Prior to that, she'd bested Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision to win the PFL Super Fights Women's Featherweight Championship in 2024. 

Through 2024 and 2025, Cyborg had hinted that her MMA career was coming to a close. Late last year, the fearsome knockout artist also indicated that she'd hang up the gloves in 2026. 

Well, the PFL has now announced that Cyborg is booked to defend her PFL women's featherweight title against Ketlen Vieira. The Cyborg-Vieira fight will headline the PFL's upcoming event at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on the 22nd of August, 2026. 

For her part, Brazil's Vieira had been a perennial UFC women's bantamweight contender. "Fenomeno" is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Vegas 117 that transpired on May 16. 

A number of fight fans were surprised when it was revealed that Vieira was released from the UFC soon thereafter. Regardless, she subsequently signed with the PFL.

Moreover, Cyborg has now put forth an X post, addressing her much-awaited clash against Vieira. She wrote: 

"Excited for this. @ketlenvieiraufc is a tough challenge. She left the UFC ranked 3rd in the division after a win over a top 10 opponent. Victories over legends Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann. Great challenge @PFLMMA" 

 

Check out Cris Cyborg's post about her MMA farewell fight below: 

Excited for this@ketlenvieiraufc is a tough challenge

She left the UFC ranked 3rd in the division after a win over a top 10 opponent

Victories over legends Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann

Great challenge 🤝 @PFLMMA pic.twitter.com/23kmenHhyE

— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg) June 24, 2026

Cris Cyborg's pursuit of boxing glory, feud with legendary pugilist Claressa Shields

MMA great Cris Cyborg and boxing legend Claressa Shields have been engaged in an intense rivalry over the past several years.

On one hand, Cyborg has competed in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA -- primarily having fought in MMA. On the other hand, Shields has competed in boxing and MMA -- mainly fighting in the boxing realm. 

Cyborg boasts a professional MMA record of 29 victories, two defeats, and one NC (No Contest). She's also 7-0 in boxing, having last competed inside the squared circle in March when she stopped Paulina Cardona to win the WIBA light middleweight title. 

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Shields is a five-division boxing world champion and 18-0 as a pro boxer. The American pugilist currently rules the heavyweight division.

"G.W.O.A.T." has also gone 2-1 in MMA, having last competed in the sport back in 2024 -- wherein she scored a split decision victory over Kelsey DeSantis in a super lightweight MMA bout in the PFL. 

Presently, undisputed women's boxing heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is set to head down in weight again. A two-time Olympic gold medalist at middleweight, she's now booked to challenge Kaye Scott for the latter's WBA and WBC middleweight titles. They'll clash at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on the 15th of August. 

Intriguingly, both Cyborg and Shields have accused one another of ducking their potential fight. Fight fans have often called upon them to clash in both MMA and boxing matches. On that note, Cyborg has now taken a jibe at Shields for boxing against Scott rather than accepting a reported $2 million clash against her. 

 

Check out Cyborg's X post regarding Shields vs. Scott below: 

Since @Claressashields 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 @PFLMMA belt https://t.co/YPbFt93P60 pic.twitter.com/SEA7EpIy50

— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg) June 25, 2026