PFL MMA

Cris Cyborg scored yet another win to add to her legendary resume at PFL Tampa, but whether or not she has competed in MMA for the final time is a question that looms.

Cyborg defeated former UFC veteran Ketlen Vieira, who weighed in at seven pounds over the limit prior to Saturday's bout. It was supposed to be a PFL Women's Featherweight Championship fight, but it ended up being a non-title bout due to Vieira's weigh-in miss. This is Cyborg's 10th straight win, and she has gone unbeaten since suffering a first-round knockout loss to Amanda Nunes back in late 2018.

With PFL undergoing a major change amid the Most Valuable Promotions merger, Cyborg is taking the play it by ear approach. While retirement remains on the table, Cyborg told reporters during the PFL Tampa post-fight press conference that she will let the pieces fall into place before making a decision (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I want to take a little break and see what's going to happen,†Cyborg said. “All this 21 years of training and all these things that happened in my life, it's a learning process. Even today in this fight I learned a lot of things.

“Twenty-one years I'm at the top, titles on the line and in the main event. I'm very grateful. I'm excited for what the future can be. I am a fighter now, but I have a lot of plans for the future at just 41 years old. The 41 now is the new 21 years old.â€

Cyborg simply can't give a definitive answer at the moment, but she let it be known that she doesn't feel like she's aging even at 41.

“I don't know if I'm going to have a fight again,†Cyborg said. “I'm 41 years old. … I wanted to 30 victories in my career. No woman did this. I'm very happy to have broken one more record.â€

Do you think Cris Cyborg should wrap up her combat sports career, or should she keep going given her dominance outside UFC? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Zuffa LLC

Daniel Cormier doesn't agree with how the NSAC is handling the post-fight celebrations of three fighters who were victorious at UFC 329.

Paddy Pimblett is one of the winners who is having his fight purse withheld due to celebratory gestures. The exact details of what caused the celebrations to be flagged weren't mentioned, but many have taken the athletic commission to task for trying to dictate how the fighters react to career-defining moments.

You can count Cormier as the latest critic. The UFC Hall of Famer, who was on the call with Jon Anik and Joe Rogan for UFC 329, took to his YouTube channel to react to the NSAC withholding fighter pay for celebrations (via Bloody Elbow).

“We are in a sport that, at times, can be ridiculous,†Cormier said. “Three fighters from UFC 329 are having sanctioning hearings for celebrations. I've gotta be honest with you, that is probably the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts. Look, we've got rules. You can't kick each other in the nuts. Of course, you shouldn't… you should not poke each other in the eyes and you should not do certain things when you're fighting.

“But to tell me a fighter (cannot) celebrate with enthusiasm, it's absurd,†he continued. “Now you're telling me Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson are going to go in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of their celebrations.â€

Cormier said if the punishment comes down to simply climbing the top of the Octagon, he feels it's an antiquated rule that needs to be removed.

“You are told you cannot jump on top of the cage… You can't help it! You really cannot help it… This rule right here is absolutely absurd.â€

The two other fighters who have had their pay withheld are UFC 329 headliner Max Holloway and debutant Gable Steveson. The withheld purses will be brought up in a hearing this coming week.

Do you think athletic commissions should lay off when it comes to fighter celebrations as long as it doesn't get in the way of the medical staff or puts anyone in danger? Leave a comment below.

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RAF

Henry Cejudo finally got a measure of revenge on Merab Dvalishvili in the freestyle wrestling world, but he's already calling for a trilogy.

Cejudo entered the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland this past Saturday in hopes of a strong showing in a RAF 12 rematch with former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili. In their first encounter outside of MMA rules, Cejudo had a sizable 8-0 lead over “The Machine,†but his gas tank wore out. This allowed Dvalishvili to mount a comeback and score the victory 11-8.

Things played out far differently in the rematch, as “Triple C†managed to have Dvalishvili pinned in just 36 seconds. It was a definitive win for Cejudo, but he may not be done with his rival just yet. During the RAF 12 post-fight press conference, Cejudo said he's counting on a third wrestling match with “The Machine†(via MMAFighting).

“I've been wrestling since I was a kid but that doesn't mean anything,†Cejudo said. “It's humbling but I'm excited for the trilogy.â€

Cejudo believes that the biggest difference between his rematch with Dvalishvili and their first RAF meeting boiled down to dedication.

“When I'm in shape, and I think Izzy [Martinez] said it, we were on the phone one time and [he said] ‘when Henry's in shape, no one will beat him… this kid is good,'†Cejudo said. “I took that to heart.

“I went out to Amsterdam, N.Y. in upstate New York, and I just dedicated myself for a whole month and a half. After getting beat up by Merab in Georgia. I've just got to stay disciplined and dedicated.â€

Cejudo is now 2-1 under the RAF banner. His other victory was against Urijah Faber in his promotional debut back in February. Whether RAF officials book the trilogy between Cejudo and Dvalishvili or they have something else in mind for “Triple C†will be a story to monitor.

Did you catch the RAF 12 rematch between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili? Should there be a trilogy, or would you rather see fresh matchups for both men? Drop your two cents in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM