Cris Cyborg added another point to the most impressive résumé in women’s MMA history.
Cyborg (23-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) was the only female fighter of both sexes to hold championships in four major promotions. On Thursday night, she successfully defended her Bellator featherweight title for the first time and scored the first submission victory of her career in the process.
Cyborg entered Australian Arlene Blencowe with a behind bare choke at 2:36 of the second round to keep her belt at the Bellator 249 main event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
“I worked really hard because it was my first time submitting to MMA,” Cyborg said in her post-fight interview. “I’ve never done that since the beginning of my career. It’s a dream come true and I’m so happy.”
From the beginning there seemed to be little doubt about the outcome of the fight. Cyborg initiated the action by moving forward and landing kicks. Blencowe (13-8 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) made an attempt to fend off an ancient cyborg riot but was encountered in response to an angry attack.
Cyborg beat Blencowe 62-4 in the course of the fight. When she first got Blencowe on the mat, she telegraphed her intentions by opting for a thrush. She didn’t get it there. But in the second round, Cyborg got a takedown, rained punches from the full mount and eventually got the opening for her RNC finish.
Cyborg’s first win on her career submission was her 19th retirement. Blencow had a three-fight winning streak.
Full Bellator 249 Results:
- Cris Cyborg def. Arlene Blencowe via submission (rear bare choke) – round, 2:36 – retains the featherweight title
- Leandro Higo def. Ricky Bandejas via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 2:32
- Steve Mowry def. Shawn Teed on TKO (Knees and Punches) – Round 1, 4:22
- Saad Awad versus Mandel Nallo is classified as a no-contest (accidental groin hit) – Round 1, 1:44
- Andrew Kapel def. Joseph Creer on TKO – Round 2, 5:00 p.m.
- Kemran Lachinov def. Kyle Crutchmer on unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Christian Edwards def. Hamza Salim via Submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 1:28
- Da’Mon Blackshear def. Mike Kimbel via submission (rear bare choke) – Round 2, 4:14
- Aviv Gozali def. Logan Neal via Submission (Kimura) – Round 1, 3:22
- Albert Gonzales def. Kastriot Xhema via TKO (retirement) – Round 2, 5:00
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