Cris Cyborg Registers First-Round TKO of Cat Zingano to Defend Bellator Women’s Featherweight Title

Cris Cyborg has defended her Bellator title with ease…

The 38-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist showed off why she’s one of the greatest fighters in women’s MMA history by mauling Cat Zingano with a first-round TKO during Saturday night’s Bellator 300 to defend her title in dominant fashion.

Cris Cyborg,Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) had not fought in nearly a year and a half. But she showed no rust in her skills, winning her seventh fight in a row. It was her fifth title defense, the most of any current Bellator champ..

Cyborg, based in Southern California, had an answer for everything Zingano tried, making the 41-year-old pay for every takedown attempt and clinch.

Cris CyborgThe finish came 4:01 into the fight after Cyborg clipped Zingano while defending a takedown shot then pounced with punches until the referee waved off the bout. It was Cyborg’s 21st career knockout and 12th in the first round.

“I was a little more strong than her,” Cyborg said. “I know she felt that power.”

Zingano (14-5) was making her second bid for a world championship. In 2015, during her run as a UFC bantamweight, Zingano challenged then-champ Ronda Rousey and was submitted in 14 seconds.

After Saturday’s fight, Cyborg called for her next title defense to come against Leah McCourt, who defeated Sara McMann by first-round TKO during the prelims.

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