It looks like the PFL might have jumped the gun on Cris Cyborg’s farewell tour, because the legendary fighter is walking back all that retirement talk ahead of PFL Tampa. The PFL itself had framed her main event bout against former UFC contender Ketlen Vieira as her final dance in MMA, but Cyborg just dropped a bombshell, telling MMA Junkie that her retirement is definitely not set in stone.
Contract Cliffhanger and Future Shocks
Talk about a curveball! This Saturday’s fight isn’t just a PFL women’s featherweight title defense; it’s the final fight on Cyborg’s current PFL deal. You read that right: the contract is up after this one. Despite the promotion practically writing her retirement speech for her, Cyborg is completely undecided on whether she’ll compete beyond this bout. She told MMA Junkie Radio, “This could be my last fight, but this is my last fight in my contract.” That’s a huge distinction, isn’t it? She’s focused on Vieira, no doubt, but she’s also very clear: “I’m not sure what’s going to happen after.” The uncertainty is real, and she’s even floated the idea, saying, “Maybe, maybe (I’ll continue fighting). I’m not sure it’s going to happen.” This isn’t the definitive goodbye everyone expected, and that leaves fans on the edge of their seats wondering what’s next.
41 Years Young and Still Elite
Cyborg has been wrestling with the idea of hanging up the gloves for a while now. She’s 41 years old and has been battling professionally in MMA for two decades, a staggering 20 years in the cage. You’d think all that mileage would take its toll, right? But here’s the kicker: she still feels absolutely elite. Her PFL women’s featherweight title is proof positive she’s still at the top of her game. She’s been telling her team for three years, “OK, this can be my last fight,” but it keeps not happening. She truly believes she’s fighting better at 41 than she was at 21! That’s not just talk, either. She attributes it to smart training, diligent recovery, and doing “everything for me, so I can compete on a higher level.” This isn’t a fighter past her prime; this is a strategic warrior who has figured out how to defy age and keep the title around her waist.
What’s at Stake for the Future
With her contract running out, Cyborg’s comments about the shifting landscape of mixed martial arts are even more interesting. She mentioned the “amazing” merger of MVP with PFL, believing that “together, we can be strong” for the sport. And then there’s Jake Paul, out there telling free agents to come to him because he’ll “make you make money.” These external factors could play a role in her decision, but her immediate focus is locked in. She’s committed to giving “100 percent for this fight first” against Ketlen Vieira. So, while the PFL might have declared Saturday as the end, Cris Cyborg is making it clear the final chapter is far from written. Get ready to see if this phenom keeps fighting, because she hasn’t made up her mind just yet.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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