History of Cris Cyborg in Timeline

Cris Cyborg (Cristiane Justino Venâncio) is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist and boxer. She's the current Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion and the inaugural PFL Super Fights Women's Featherweight Champion. She previously held featherweight titles in UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC. Notably, she is the only MMA fighter to achieve Grand Slam Champion status, winning world championships in five major MMA promotions. She's widely considered one of the greatest female MMA fighters ever.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 9, 1985: Cristiane Justino Venâncio Born

On July 9, 1985, Cristiane Justino Venâncio, famously known as Cris Cyborg, was born. She is a Brazilian-American professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer.

Others born on this day/year

May 17, 2005: Professional MMA Debut

On May 17, 2005, Cristiane Justino made her professional mixed martial arts debut at Showfight 2 against Erica Paes at the age of 19. She lost via submission in the first round.

July 26, 2008: United States MMA Debut

On July 26, 2008, Cris Cyborg made her United States MMA debut against Shayna Baszler at EliteXC: Unfinished Business, winning by TKO in the second round.

October 4, 2008: Defeated Yoko Takahashi at EliteXC: Heat

On October 4, 2008, Cris Cyborg faced Yoko Takahashi at EliteXC: Heat and won the fight by unanimous decision.

February 27, 2009: Backed out of XMMA 7 fight

On February 27, 2009, Cris Cyborg was scheduled to face Marloes Coenen at XMMA 7 but backed out of the fight after signing a new contract with Strikeforce.

April 11, 2009: Strikeforce Debut Against Hitomi Akano

On April 11, 2009, Cris Cyborg made her Strikeforce debut against Hitomi Akano at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz. She came in overweight but defeated Akano by TKO in the third round.

August 15, 2009: Won Strikeforce Title

On August 15, 2009, Cris Cyborg won the Strikeforce title by defeating Gina Carano via TKO in the first round. This was the first major main event to feature women in the sport.

January 30, 2010: Defended Strikeforce Title Against Marloes Coenen

On January 30, 2010, Cris Cyborg defended her Strikeforce title against Marloes Coenen at a Strikeforce event, winning via TKO in the third round.

April 7, 2010: Announcement of Next Fight

On April 7, 2010, it was announced that Cris Cyborg would fight again in June.

June 26, 2011: Strikeforce Contract Expired

On June 26, 2011, Cris Cyborg's contract with Strikeforce expired.

August 25, 2011: Renewed Strikeforce Contract

On August 25, 2011, Cris Cyborg renewed her contract with Strikeforce.

September 23, 2011: Announced Return to Promotion

On September 23, 2011, Cris Cyborg announced that she would return to the promotion to face Hiroko Yamanaka.

December 2011: Split from Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos

In December 2011, Cris Cyborg split from her husband, mixed martial artist Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos.

December 17, 2011: Fought Hiroko Yamanaka at Strikeforce

On December 17, 2011, Cris Cyborg fought Hiroko Yamanaka at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal, winning via TKO in the first round.

January 6, 2012: Tested Positive for Anabolic Steroid

On January 6, 2012, it was announced that Cris Cyborg had tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. The fight's result was changed to a no contest, and she was suspended for one year and fined $2,500.

February 15, 2013: Signed with Invicta Fighting Championships

On February 15, 2013, Cris Cyborg signed a multi-fight deal with Invicta Fighting Championships after Strikeforce folded.

July 13, 2013: Won the Invicta FC Featherweight Championship

On July 13, 2013, Cris Cyborg defeated Marloes Coenen by TKO in the fourth round at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg to become the first Invicta FC featherweight champion.

September 20, 2013: Muay Thai Fight Against Jennifer Colomb

On September 20, 2013, Cris Cyborg faced Jennifer Colomb at Lion Fight 11 in Las Vegas, defeating her by TKO in round three.

March 28, 2014: Lost Lion Fight Women's Welterweight Championship

On March 28, 2014, Cris Cyborg lost a five-round unanimous decision against Jorina Baars in a fight for the inaugural Lion Fight Women's Welterweight Championship at Lion Fight 14 in Las Vegas.

February 2015: Defended Invicta Featherweight Title

In February 2015, Cris Cyborg defended her Invicta Featherweight title against Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11, winning by TKO in the first round.

March 2015: Signed with the UFC

In March 2015, it was announced that Cris Cyborg had signed with the UFC.

July 9, 2015: Defeated Faith Van Duin at Invicta FC 13

On July 9, 2015, Cris Cyborg faced Faith Van Duin at Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin and won the fight by TKO in the first round.

September 24, 2016: Defeated Lina Länsberg at UFC Fight Night 95

On September 24, 2016, Cris Cyborg faced Lina Länsberg at UFC Fight Night 95 in a catchweight bout and won by TKO in the second round.

December 2016: USADA Doping Violation Notification

In December 2016, UFC was notified of a potential USADA doping violation by Cris Cyborg, related to a substance for weight cut recovery.

2016: Became a U.S. citizen

In 2016, Cris Cyborg became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

February 17, 2017: Granted Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

On February 17, 2017, Cris Cyborg was granted a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) by USADA, lifting her suspension and making her immediately eligible to compete.

March 2017: Vacated Invicta Title

In March 2017, Cris Cyborg vacated her Invicta featherweight title and called out Germaine de Randamie for a fight.

June 19, 2017: De Randamie Stripped of Belt

On June 19, 2017, Germaine de Randamie was stripped of her belt by the UFC, leading to Cyborg's expected fight against Megan Anderson for the vacated UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.

December 30, 2017: Defeated Holly Holm at UFC 219

On December 30, 2017, Cris Cyborg faced Holly Holm at UFC 219 and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning her first Fight of the Night bonus.

2017: Engagement to Ray Elbe

In 2017, Cyborg announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend, trainer, and former MMA athlete Ray Elbe.

March 3, 2018: Defeated Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222

On March 3, 2018, Cris Cyborg faced Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222 for her second featherweight title defense and won the fight by TKO in the first round. She later gave out 222 burgers to Los Angeles' homeless.

December 29, 2018: Lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232

On December 29, 2018, Cris Cyborg faced Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 for the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship and lost by knockout in the first round, marking her first knockout loss in her MMA career.

2018: Second Professional Loss

In 2018, Cris Cyborg suffered her second professional loss in MMA, against Amanda Nunes.

2018: Adoption of niece

In 2018, Cyborg legally adopted her teenage niece, making her historically the first mother to hold a UFC championship belt.

July 27, 2019: Defeated Felicia Spencer at UFC 240

On July 27, 2019, Cris Cyborg faced Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

September 3, 2019: Signed with Bellator MMA

On September 3, 2019, it was announced that Cris Cyborg had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.

January 2020: Became Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion

In January 2020, Cris Cyborg became the Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion. She currently holds the title.

January 25, 2020: Won Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship

On January 25, 2020, Cris Cyborg faced Julia Budd for the Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship at Bellator 238 and won the fight via technical knockout in round four.

October 15, 2020: Defended Bellator Title Against Arlene Blencowe

On October 15, 2020, Cris Cyborg defended her title against Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 249, winning the bout via second round submission.

May 21, 2021: Defended Bellator Title Against Leslie Smith

On May 21, 2021, Cris Cyborg defended her title against Leslie Smith at Bellator 259, winning the bout via TKO.

November 12, 2021: Defended Bellator Title Against Sinead Kavanagh

On November 12, 2021, Cris Cyborg defended her title against Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271. She won via knockout in the first round.

April 23, 2022: Defended Bellator Title Against Arlene Blencowe

On April 23, 2022, Cris Cyborg defended her title in a rematch against Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279. She retained the title and won the bout via unanimous decision.

September 25, 2022: Professional Boxing Debut

On September 25, 2022, Cris Cyborg made her professional boxing debut against Simone Silva at Fight Music Show 2, winning by unanimous decision.

December 11, 2022: Boxing match against Gabrielle Holloway

On December 11, 2022, Cris Cyborg dropped Gabrielle Holloway and outpointed her, winning via unanimous decision at CHI Health Center in Omaha. The event drew 14,630 paid attendance, setting a state of Nebraska record.

2022: PFL Women's Lightweight Champion

In 2022, Larissa Pacheco was the PFL Women's Lightweight Champion. She fought Cris Cyborg for the PFL Women's Featherweight Superfight Championship on October 19, 2024.

October 7, 2023: Defended Bellator Title Against Cat Zingano

On October 7, 2023, Cris Cyborg defended her title against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300, winning the fight via TKO in the first round.

2023: PFL Women's Featherweight Champion

In 2023, Larissa Pacheco was the PFL Women's Featherweight Champion. She fought Cris Cyborg for the PFL Women's Featherweight Superfight Championship on October 19, 2024.

October 19, 2024: Won PFL Women's Featherweight Superfight Championship

On October 19, 2024, Cris Cyborg faced Larissa Pacheco for the PFL Women's Featherweight Superfight Championship at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. She won the fight by unanimous decision.