Cris Cyborg Defeats Ketlen Vieira, Signals Career May Continue

Cris Cyborg defeated Ketlen Vieira on points at PFL Tampa in Florida, recording the 30th victory of her professional mixed martial arts career. All three judges awarded the five-round contest to Cyborg, according to BBC Sport, although the former UFC and Bellator champion was pushed hard throughout the fight.

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Vieira maintained a steady pace and briefly hurt Cyborg with heavy hooks late in the second round. Cyborg had difficulty controlling her heavier opponent, who had missed weight by enough that she was ineligible to win Cyborg's PFL featherweight world title. The bout nevertheless went the full distance before the judges returned a unanimous verdict for the champion.

The result did not settle the question of Cyborg's retirement. The 41-year-old Brazilian had been expected to bring her decorated 21-year MMA career to an end, but her post-fight comments pointed in another direction. She said she was ready to face anyone at any time and at any weight, while highlighting an unbeaten run that has now stretched to almost eight years.

Cyborg also renewed her pursuit of a fight with boxing champion Claressa Shields. BBC Sport reported that Cyborg, who is 6-0 as a professional boxer, has sought that match-up for several years. Shields is a three-weight undisputed boxing champion and has recently competed at heavyweight, while her previous fight was at middleweight. No agreement for a bout between them was announced.

Another name raised by Cyborg was Kayla Harrison, the former PFL lightweight champion who now competes in the UFC. Cyborg challenged Harrison to face her after recovering from a neck issue and also referenced Harrison potentially fighting Amanda Nunes. Cyborg is now an MMA free agent following the Vieira victory, leaving her next promotion and opponent uncertain.

The PFL Tampa undercard also produced a sixth consecutive win for Britain's Luke Trainer. The 30-year-old light-heavyweight stopped Roland Dunlap in the second round after dropping him with a front kick to the face, improving his overall record to 11 wins. Afghan-born English fighter Javid Basharat and Irish welterweight Eoin Sheridan also recorded victories at Benchmark International Arena.