Cris Cyborg successfully retained her featherweight title via fifth-round TKO against Leslie Smith at Bellator 259 (video highlights here). MMA event aired live on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Friday, May 21.
Check out some of the best fight action photos, as well as the post-fight comments from the champion, below.
“I knew she was tough and I’ve fought her before. I know her and respect her and she’s a real fighter. I knew with her it would be a great match, because she’s capable and she’s tough.”
“I was really working in sparring to keep going and going because I knew it was going to be this way. I noticed I enjoyed it a little more. It’s going to be 16 years as a professional fighter this month so I started to enjoy it in there.”
“I’ve been working on grappling my whole life but I just feel like I’m getting better and better every day. I got a black belt, but it’s like a white belt because I’m always learning.”
“I’ve been doing this 16 years, I’ve got four titles. But before you can be a G.O.A.T. you have to fight the ‘Cat.’ So, I’d like to fight with Cat Zingano and I will ask Scott Coker. Because before you can be a G.O.A.T. you have to fight the ‘Cat.’”
The full fight results from Bellator 259 can be found here.
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