Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm Early Main Card Preview and Predictions
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Division: Women's Bantamweight
Records: Cris Cyborg (18-1), Holly Holm (11-3)
Women's MMA in the UFC has been flawed over its brief existence. The promotion has long viewed the bulk of its female roster as little more than cannon fodder for its favored fighters, frequently funneling green contenders into the sights of dominant champions while rarely affording up-and-coming talents the opportunity to mature.
Two of the fighters who bucked that trend are Cris "Cyborg" Justino and Holly Holm. Both were well-established before entering the UFC. Both women undermined the promotion's carefully constructed Ronda Rousey myth. Both received harsh backlash from UFC brass and fans for it. Both, ultimately, soldiered on and enjoyed inconvenient but unignorable success.
Now, after a remarkably strange series of circumstances, the promotion is forced to rely on them to headline one of the biggest events of the year. And though the company might not like it, fans almost certainly will.
It's an interesting bout between fighters with remarkably different styles. Cyborg, known for her lengthy highlight reel filled with savage knockouts, is a bruising in-fighter who lands hard combinations in phone-booth range. Holm, who became an overnight star for her performance at UFC 193, is a wily counter-striker who punishes offensive advances and slips away before foes can respond.
While Holm has the tools to outland Cyborg en route to a decision, the Brazilian's consistent dominance makes it impossible to pick against her. This will likely be a battle of inches, though, and if Holm can find her range before Cyborg, things could get very interesting.
Prediction: Cris Cyborg def. Holly Holm by TKO in Round 4