Cris Cyborg

Cris Cyborg – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Cris Cyborg is a Brazilian-American martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters ever. Explore her journey, titles, philosophy, and famous quotes in this full biography.

Introduction

Cristiane “Cris Cyborg” Justino Venâncio (born July 9, 1985) is a legendary name in mixed martial arts (MMA) and combat sports. Born in Brazil, she rose from a troubled childhood and early athletic dreams to dominate multiple promotions across the globe. Over her long career, she has held world championships in UFC, Strikeforce, Invicta FC, Bellator, and beyond—making her the only fighter, male or female, to become a “quintuple champion.”

Today, Cyborg stands not only as an elite athlete but as a symbol of perseverance, power, and breakthrough for women in combat sports. Her story inspires fighters and fans alike, and her philosophy echoes beyond the cage.

Early Life and Family

Cris Cyborg was born in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, on July 9, 1985. She grew up in a household marked by instability: her parents divorced, and her father struggled with alcoholism.

From an early age, she showed athletic promise. At age 12, she began playing handball at a national level in Brazil. Her success in that sport earned her athletic scholarships to private institutions in Curitiba.

She originally considered pursuing a future in handball professionally. At one point, she planned to relocate to the city of Cascavel to both continue her handball ambitions and finish college studies in physical education.

However, fate intervened. While she was preparing to embark on that path, she was discovered by Rudimar Fedrigo, a trainer associated with Chute Boxe Academy, who was struck by her physical build and athletic potential. He encouraged her to explore fighting.

Thus, the seeds of her future in combat sports were planted—not by birth, but by determination and a chance encounter.

Youth and Education

Cris Cyborg’s early adolescence involved balancing academics and sports. Through her scholarships she obtained exposure to higher-level training and discipline.

Though she initially leaned toward handball, she also cultivated strength, conditioning, and general athleticism. Her transition to combat sports wasn’t immediate—she first tested the waters, training in Muay Thai and striking under guidance.

While formal records of her academic degree are not widely documented, her early plans to study physical education reflect a mindset oriented toward sport, movement, and performance.

Career and Achievements

Cris Cyborg’s professional path is marked by dominance, resilience, and boundary-breaking.

Early MMA career

• She made her professional MMA debut on May 17, 2005, at just 19, against Erica Paes. She lost via submission in the first round.

• Despite that early setback, she responded by stacking victories in smaller Brazilian promotions—TKOs and decisions that built momentum.

• Her U.S. debut came in 2008: she defeated Shayna Baszler via TKO at EliteXC.

Strikeforce breakthrough

• In 2009, she signed with Strikeforce, where she would reach international fame.

• On August 15, 2009, she faced Gina Carano for the Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight title and won by TKO in just under five minutes of the first round—an event seen as one of the pivotal moments in women’s MMA.

• That was the first time a major MMA promotion headlined a women’s fight.

Invicta FC era

• After Strikeforce folded, she joined Invicta FC.

• She captured the inaugural Invicta Featherweight title by defeating Marloes Coenen via TKO in the 4th round.

• She defended that title multiple times.

UFC tenure

• In 2015 she signed with the UFC.

• Her debut was at UFC 198, where she faced Leslie Smith (catchweight 140 lb) and earned a first-round TKO.

• She went on to challenge for the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship (which was newly created) and won the title at UFC 214, defeating Tonya Evinger by TKO.

• She defended the UFC title against Holly Holm in a five-round fight, winning a unanimous decision. She also beat Yana Santos (TKO) before eventually losing her belt to Amanda Nunes in December 2018 (by knockout in 51 seconds).

Bellator & PFL, and cross-disciplinary success

• In September 2019 she signed with Bellator MMA.

• In January 2020 she captured the Bellator Women’s Featherweight title by defeating Julia Budd via TKO.

• She defended that title across multiple bouts—some via knockout, others via submission (notably, her first submission win came in Bellator 249).

• In 2024, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, she defeated Larissa Pacheco by unanimous decision, capturing the symbolic PFL Super Fights Women’s Featherweight Championship.

• Simultaneously, she has pursued professional boxing, debuting in 2022. Her boxing record has improved rapidly, and she’s secured several knockout victories.

Records & recognition

• Cyborg is the only fighter in MMA history to win world titles across five major promotions (Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, Bellator, PFL), earning her quin­tup­le-champion status.

• She is widely considered among the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time.

• Over her career, many of her wins have come by knockout (her striking power a signature trait), though she has also shown versatility by winning via decisions and a few submissions.

• In 2025, she remains active—both in MMA and boxing—and is scheduled to return to MMA with a bout vs. Sara Collins in December 2025 at PFL Europe 4.

Historical Milestones & Context

Cris Cyborg’s career spans a critical evolution in women’s MMA. Her fights helped break barriers and shift perceptions.

• When she defeated Gina Carano in 2009, it was a watershed moment: a major U.S. MMA organization headlining a women’s fight.

• Her UFC championship run helped legitimize women’s divisions in the UFC, especially at featherweight, a division not previously recognized for women.

• Her capacity to transition between promotions and succeed at each underscores how she defied the boundaries of promotion loyalty that often pigeonholed fighters.

• Her entry into boxing as an established MMA star also reflects the expanding fluidity of combat sports: athletes crossing disciplines, leveraging fame, and broadening their legacy.

• Through her longevity, she has witnessed and contributed to the transformation of women’s opportunities, sponsorships, weight classes, and audience perception in MMA.

Legacy and Influence

Cris Cyborg’s legacy reaches beyond mere titles and records.

• She is a role model to female fighters, especially in Brazil and Latin America, showing that women can compete with ferocity, legitimacy, and respect.

• Young fighters often cite her as an inspiration; in MMA communities, she is a symbol of power, resilience, and determination.

• Her brand, “Cyborg Nation,” reflects a loyal fanbase that spans global combat-sport fans.

• Even outside the cage, she engages in charitable work—such as with Fight for the Forgotten, a nonprofit initiative that digs wells to provide drinking water in vulnerable communities.

• Her success has helped expand marketability for women’s MMA—more media attention, sponsorship deals, and visibility for female fighters.

Personality and Talents

Cris Cyborg is often described as intense, fearless, and uncompromising. Her tenacity in training, ferocity in striking, and mental toughness have defined her style.

She holds a black belt in Muay Thai under Rafael Cordeiro, and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles. Her striking base is her signature domain, though over time she integrated grappling and ground work as well.

Her mindset is equally formidable: she has often spoken about embracing adversity, pushing limits, and turning criticism into fuel. Her mental resolve is as much a tool as her punches or kicks.

Famous Quotes of Cris Cyborg

Here are some of the most notable and revealing sayings attributed to Cris Cyborg, which reflect her philosophy, mindset, and intensity:

“I like training hard. I like to punch the face. I like getting punched in the face.”
“What wins a fight is training hard, working hard, and that’s what I do: Train hard every time. Being pretty or not is not the point.”
“I fight the same as a man. I train the same as a man. I think this is different from other girls.”
“Everybody has a game plan, but the plan changes after the first punch.”
“I’m already used to being a target, so I’m building a castle with the stones people throw at me.”

These quotes highlight themes of resilience, equality, and a warrior’s mindset.

Lessons from Cris Cyborg

From her life and career, several lessons emerge—valuable not only for fighters but for anybody pursuing goals:

1. Persistence over perfection – Her early fighter loss didn’t deter her; she used it as a stepping stone.

2. Embrace adversity – She turned criticism and setbacks into motivation.

3. Cross boundaries – She succeeded across MMA and boxing, not letting specialization limit her.

4. Lead by example – Her dominance forced others to step up, expanding women’s divisions.

5. Build resilience mentally and physically – Her success is as much about mindset as skill.

Conclusion

Cris Cyborg’s journey from a young handball athlete in Brazil to one of the most decorated female fighters in combat-sports history is nothing short of extraordinary. She shattered glass ceilings, accumulated titles across multiple promotions, and continues to push boundaries into her late career with boxing.

Her impact resonates not just in the record books, but in the hearts of fighters, fans, and especially women seeking to challenge norms.

Explore her fights, reflect on her journey, and let her quotes inspire your own fight—whether literal or metaphorical.