MMA legend Cris Cyborg is finally coming to the UK this Saturday night as the main event of Crypto Fight Night at the O2 Indigo in London.
The iconic female fighter has been competing professionally since 2005 but has never been able to showcase her explosive fighting style across the pond. That all changes this weekend when she takes on Aria Wilde in the British capital.
Cyborg is set for a tough test in her latest boxing bout before a super fight with two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco later this year. The Brazilian showdown is scheduled to air on pay-per-view later this year, with the legendary champion then set to defend her Bellator belt.
Cris Cyborg has big plans for late 2024, starting with making her boxing debut in the UK.
Cris Cyborg's first fight in the UK and Europe was announced as something of a surprise late last month, as she is confirmed to appear in the main event of tonight's Crypt Fight Night against Wilde, who has just two fights under her belt.
Speaking exclusively to Bloody Elbow ahead of tonight's event, she explained: “It's my first time coming to London to fight so I'm really excited, especially as I think the next boxing match will be a great show.”
“It was a sudden call. The team contacted me 18 days before. I was already training for a boxing match and it got cancelled so it was perfect timing. The team contacted me and I was training and ready to go.
“I don't know much about Alia, but I know she's been training for two years, has had a few matches and works really hard. My team has seen her matches and she's very courageous, so we're looking forward to a great match.”
“I admire her for stepping into the ring. Everyone who steps into the ring is courageous because they're ready for anything.”
Cris Cyborg confirms plans to return to MMA after boxing back-to-back bouts
Following the bout, Cyborg's fourth boxing bout in as many years, she will return to mixed martial arts training in preparation for a superfight with Pacheco, a pay-per-view matchup between the two Brazilian fighters in the newly merged Bellator-PFL.
But she may have to wait, as her fellow champion will face Leah McCourt under the Bellator banner first. “My next fight will be in mixed martial arts,” she said. “My opponent is Larissa Pacheco, so I have to take a little break from boxing.”
“It's going to be fireworks. It's going to be a great fight. We've made it happen. It's going to be a great fight. I'm excited. People are super excited about this fight. We're both Brazilian and Larissa is a great fighter and she's the PFL champion so we're super excited and it's going to be a great fight.”
Crypto Fight Night is coming to London with the first appearance of Cris Cyborg at tonight's “Off Chain” event at Indigo at The O2. Fans can buy tickets on AXS.com or watch live for free on TrillerTV.
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