Cris Cyborg wins against Ketlen Vieira in retirement fight at PFL Tampa

Cris Cyborg got all she could handle from Ketlen Vieira but pulled out a unanimous decision for her 10th straight win in what might have been her PFL swan song Saturday night.

Coming into her main event fight against Ketlen Vieira last night (Sat., Aug. 22, 2026) at PFL Tampa, the talk around the water cooler was that Cris Cyborg was going to retire win, lose or draw. But judging be her post-fight victory speech, it doesn’t seem as if the vicious striker is ready to walk […]

Cris Cyborg defended her PFL featherweight title against Ketlen Vieira—who was ineligible to win the title due to missing weight by seven pounds—in the main event of PFL Tampa, which went down Saturday night in Florida, and appears to be far from done in combat sports. Early on, Cyborg attacked Vieira with jabs to the body, but had a hard time finding the distance to even secure a takedown against her heavier opponent. Cyborg hurt Vieira with a calf kick in Round 2, but the Nova União fighter fired back to rock her late in the round. Things are heating up between Cris Cyborg and Ketlen Vieira 🔥🔥#PFLTampa presented by @visitspc | 📺LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/DJFKGjkM4a — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2026 Cyborg entered Round 3 focused on takedowns, scoring points with heavy ground-and-pound while Vieira tried to close guard and threaten with armbars. Vieira’s success on the feet made Cyborg once again clinch and go for takedowns, but Vieira countered a takedown with a judo throw to leave Cyborg bloodied with ground-and-pound of her own. It's a game of leverage! 💪#PFLTampa presented by @visitspc | 📺LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XCmA254K0f — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2026 The final stanza began and Cyborg scored a takedown early, but Vieira quickly got back to her feet and then took the champion down. Cyborg only managed to get back up with 90 seconds left on the clock, and from that point on they traded blows until the final horn sounded. Cris Cyborg and Ketlen Vieira swing away until the final bell sounds. TOUGH FIGHT#PFLTampa presented by @visitspc | 📺LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/SSzfB6oVBT — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2026 Cyborg and Vieira combined for 308 strikes over five rounds of action at Benchmark International Arena, and all three judges scored it for Cyborg (49-46, 48-47, 49-46). The longtime veteran now enters free agency with a 30-2 record and a 10-fight win streak, and is now undefeated for nearly eight years. Post-fight, Cyborg called Vieira “a big test” and said she’s “ready for anybody, anytime, any weight.” The former UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, and Invicta FC featherweight queen called out boxing great Claressa Shields and sent a message to UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison after getting her hand raised in Tampa. First, Cyborg told Shields to “eat less” and make 160 pounds for a boxing clash, and then took a shot at Harrison, a former PFL champion who attended the event Saturday to cheer for her American Top Team teammates. “Kayla Harrison is here? Come here,” Cyborg said. “Kayla, you’ve been running for so long. You ran from PFL from me, now you’re coming to watch my fight? I’m ready for you. I hope you heal your neck and you go challenge Amanda Nunes. I’m here.” In the co-main event, PFL newcomer Tracy Reeder stepped in as a short-notice replacement against top lightweight contender Gadzhi Rabadanov, but he was no match for the former PFL tournament winner. Rabadanov kept the PFL debutant away with jabs on the feet until Reeder shot for a takedown from a mile away. Rabadanov easily ended up on top position, and from there he patiently used his ground-and-pound to hurt Reeder and secure the TKO late in the opening round. GADZHI RABADANOV FIRST ROUND TKO HASBULLA IS HEADED TO THE SMARTCAGE TO CELEBRATE 🔥#PFLTampa presented by @visitspc | 📺LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/gtcEMfRe2L — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2026 Also on the main card, multiple-time amateur MMA champion Sabrinna de Sousa scored the biggest win of her pro MMA career by topping one-time UFC flyweight title challenger Taila Santos via unanimous decision. Luke Trainer opened the main card with a nasty front kick knockout over Roland Dunlap. Watch Trainer’s finish below, and click here for full PFL Tampa results. 😱 Luke Trainer just MELTED Roland Dunlap at #PFLTampa! pic.twitter.com/ZQM4PqNrRU — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 23, 2026

Women's MMA pioneer and legend Cris Cyborg made the walk to the cage a final time on Saturday at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla. The Brazilian put

MMA legend Cris Cyborg made the walk to the cage for a final time on Saturday in the PFL Tampa main event.