(Editor’s note: This story originally published in Friday’s print edition of USA TODAY.)
LOS ANGELES – The woman considered by many to be the greatest fighter in women’s MMA will attempt to make history Saturday night by winning a championship in her fourth major promotion.
[autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag], of Huntington Beach, Calif., by way of Brazil, will challenge Julia Budd for the Bellator women’s featherweight title in the Bellator 238 main event at The Forum in nearby Inglewood.
Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who is receiving the title shot in her first bout with her new promoter, previously held the 145-pound championship in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and the UFC.
She says the key to winning multiple championships is, well, not acting like you’ve won multiple championships.
“I don’t think I know everything,” Cyborg said. “I think every time I step into the gym, I have something to learn. I have to be humble to learn. Even if you’re champ a long time, I was training like like I’m not a champion. I was training like I was challenger.”
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While others, like Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, became bigger stars for shorter periods of time, no one has competed at a high level as consistently and for as long as Cyborg. Using a ferocious, swarming striking style, Cyborg went undefeated over 20 fights in a 13-year stretch, earning 17 stoppages en route to her three world titles.
Her legendary string came to an end with a shockingly one-sided loss to current UFC featherweight and bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes, who many would argue has surpassed Cyborg as the all-time women’s MMA GOAT, with a 51-second knockout at UFC 232.
Cyborg rebounded with an impressive win over Felicia Spencer in the last fight of her UFC contract last summer. Her relationship with the UFC had long been acrimonious, and the both sides decided to move on, as Cyborg signed with Bellator soon thereafter.
While Cyborg is a significant favorite going into Bellator 238, Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) isn’t to be taken lightly. The 36-year old out of British Columbia lost to Rousey early in her career back in 2011, but Budd has not lost since. She’s won 11 straight fights and has earned stoppages in three of her past four. This will mark Budd’s fourth title defense since becoming the inaugural champion in March 2017.
“I think she’s a great fighter,” Cyborg said. “She’s the champion at 145 pounds, and she’s been a champion a long time. She’s undefeated eight years. She’s going to be a great challenge for me. … I always like to challenge myself if I have the opportunity. I think it’s a big thing to sign with Bellator.”
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