Cris Cyborg's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Cris Cyborg. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.