Cyborg stamps her authority on the women’s featherweight division once again

Who can defeat UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg?

Yana Kunitskaya, a game Russian who usually fights at the 135lbs bantamweight limit, took the fight up a weight class and on late notice to try and snatch Cyborg’s title. She gave it all she had, but that wasn’t enough for the imperious Cyborg.

Touched by the tail-end of a Cyborg punch, Kunitskaya wisely opted to try and take the fight to the floor. The Invicta bantamweight champion had some early success in the clinch and grappling exchanges with Cyborg – even taking the Brazilian’s back at one point.

But, as usual, Cyborg managed to turn the tables quickly with her crisp striking and unrivalled punching power among her female colleagues.

Landing a string of straight punches, Cyborg eventually left Kunistkaya crumpled on the canvas. A few more punches on the ground followed and the fight official intervened as the Russian struggled to defend herself.

Cyborg remains UFC women’s featherweight champion and there aren’t a whole lot of contenders out there. She did, however, call out UFC women’s bantamweight titleholder Amanda Nunes after her victory

This women’s superfight could well be in the offing.

Brian Ortega hands Frankie Edgar his first stoppage loss

Brian Ortega stepped in as a late replacement against Frankie Edgar for the injured Max Holloway, but you wouldn’t know it. Ortega took full advantage of this opportunity and cemented his position as the next contender for Holloway’s featherweight title.

Once again, Edgar was the smaller man in the cage but he looked to be handling Ortega’s size advantage well in the opening minutes of round one, punctuating feints with his trademark four-to-five-punch combinations to keep his opponents guessing and on the backfoot.

With Edgar constantly closing the distance, Ortega swiftly changed tact. As Edgar stepped in to rip another punch combo, Ortega returned with a short elbow which dazed the New Jersey native.

Ortega sensed blood and his finishing ability is quickly becoming his trademark. As Edgar tried to hang on and regain his bearings in the cage, Ortega launches a monstrous uppercut to send Edgar sprawling to the mat. That  punch and a couple of follow-up shots was enough even for the famously durable Edgar and the referee saved him from any further undue punishment.

With that, Edgar suffered the first stoppage loss of his glittering career. As for Ortega, he is must-see MMA and his inevitable fight with Holloway is going to be fireworks.

 

UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya full results:

Women’s Featherweight bout: Cris Cyborg defeats Yana Kunitskaya by TKO (punches) at 3:25 of round 1.

Featherweight bout: Brian Ortega defeats Frankie Edgar by KO (punch) at 4:44 of round 1.

Bantamweight bout: Sean O’Malley defeats Andre Soukhamthath by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds.

Heavyweight bout: Andrei Arlovski defeats Stefan Struve by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds.

Women’s Bantamweight bout: Ketlen Vieira defeats Cat Zingano by Split Decision after 3 rounds. (Judges’ scorecards: 29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Women’s Strawweight bout: Mackenzie Dern defeats Ashley Yoder by Split Decision after 3 rounds.  (Judges’ scorecards: 29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Lightweight bout: Alexander Hernandez defeats Beneil Dariush by KO (punch) at 0:42 of round 1.

Bantamweight bout: John Dodson defeats Pedro Munhoz by Split Decision after 3 rounds. (Judges’ scorecards: 30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Middleweight bout: C.B. Dolloway defeats Hector Lombard by DQ (punch after the bell) at 5:00 of round 1.

Welterweight bout: Zak Ottow defeats Mike Pyle by TKO (punches) at 2:34 of round 1.

Bantamweight bout: Cody Stamman defeats Bryan Caraway by Split Decision (UD) after 3 rounds. (Judges’ scorecards: 29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Light Heavyweight bout: Jordan Johnson defeats Adam Milstead by Split Decision after 3 rounds. (Judges’ scorecards: 29-28, 29-28, 27-30)