Cris Cyborg Reverses Retirement, Vows to Keep Fighting

Cris "Cyborg" Justino is walking back her retirement, announcing she plans to keep fighting because she doesn't want women's MMA to lose its only major 145-pound title picture.

Justino made the announcement on social media, just months after many assumed her unanimous decision win over Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa this past August was her last walk to the cage. That win pushed the PFL women's featherweight champion to 30-2-1 and had been billed as a farewell fight.

"I'm not ready to retire...Not yet," Justino wrote. "If I walked away today, there would be no major MMA promotion with a women's 145 lb division. That's unacceptable."

Why Cris Cyborg Changed Her Mind

Cyborg framed the decision as bigger than her own career, saying she wants her legacy tied to the doors she opened for other women rather than just her championship belts. She pointed to the depth of women's boxing, with multiple weight classes and real career paths, as the standard MMA still hasn't matched. "In MMA, women are still limited," she said, adding that she has always fought for women to have the same platform as men.

That framing matters because Cyborg has been the sport's only consistent featherweight draw for most of the last decade. Walk away now, and the division she built essentially walks away with her. Staying active keeps 145 pounds alive as a sellable weight class for whichever promotion wants to build around it.

The reversal comes after Cyborg had floated a rematch with Amanda Nunes to fill a spot on the UFC 332 card before that lineup was finalized, and after Conor McGregor offered her a spot in Bare Knuckle FC. Neither of those materialized into her next fight, but they show Cyborg has options across multiple organizations if she wants them.

What This Means for a Cyborg vs. Rousey Fight

Cyborg's continued activity puts her in position for Most Valuable Promotions' next MMA card, expected in 2027 after MVP's merger with PFL. Ronda Rousey, Cyborg's longtime rival dating back over a decade, headlined the inaugural MVP MMA event with a win over Gina Carano earlier this year. A Cyborg-Rousey booking would be the most natural blockbuster on the table given their history, though nothing has been announced.

Betting Angle

Nothing is booked yet, so there is no line to point to, but the market implications are worth flagging. Cyborg has looked every bit the betting favorite in her recent run, including as the favorite over Vieira at PFL Tampa. A Rousey matchup, whenever it materializes, would draw heavy attention given the personal history between the two, and sportsbooks would likely price Cyborg as the favorite based on her recent form and the long layoff Rousey has had from active competition. Bettors should watch for official confirmation before any lines take shape, since MVP's 2027 slate is still developing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Cris Cyborg retire from MMA?

Cris Cyborg had appeared to retire after defeating Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa in August 2026, but she has since announced she plans to keep fighting.

What is Cris Cyborg's record?

Cris Cyborg improved to 30-2-1 with her unanimous decision win over Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa, defending her PFL women's featherweight title.

Will Cris Cyborg fight Ronda Rousey?

No fight has been announced, but Cris Cyborg could factor into Most Valuable Promotions' next MMA card in 2027, and Ronda Rousey headlined MVP's first MMA event earlier this year, fueling speculation about a future matchup between the longtime rivals.