Cyborg Reveals Retirement Plans After PFL Contract Ends

Cris Cyborg has softened her stance on retiring in 2026, telling MMA Junkie Radio that her upcoming PFL Tampa bout could mark the end of her current deal but not necessarily her fighting career.

The featherweight champion faces Ketlen Vieira on August 22 in a title defense that fulfills her existing PFL contract. Cyborg had previously signaled this year would be her last before transitioning to veterinary work, but the merger between Jake Paul's MVP promotion and PFL appears to have shifted her thinking.

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Cyborg Says She Feels Better at 41 Than at 21

"I know I'm fighting better than [when I was] 21 years," Cyborg said, per MMA Junkie. "I feel better at 41 than 21. I train smart, I recover. I do everything for me, so I can compete on a higher level." She added that while this will be her final contracted bout, she remains unsure what comes next and acknowledged anything could happen.

The Brazilian striker has spent six years outside the UFC facing opponents like Larissa Pacheco and Cat Zingano, missing out on marquee rematches with Amanda Nunes or potential showdowns with Kayla Harrison. Her boxing pursuits have also stalled, with planned bouts against fighters like Claressa Shields failing to materialize.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to PFL Tampa on Ticketmaster →

Cyborg expressed optimism about the MVP-PFL merger, noting that Paul has publicly encouraged free agents to sign with him for bigger paydays. Whether the 41-year-old continues beyond August 22 may depend on what opportunities that union creates.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — PFL Tampa’s Cris Cyborg gives retirement update: ‘I feel better at 41 than 21’