BRASILIA, Brazil -- Cris Cyborg enters her 19th professional fight Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil, against Lina Lansberg, and sees modern MMA as a different sport when compared to her first bouts a decade ago.
A former Strikeforce champion and current Invicta FC featherweight titleholder, Cyborg faces Lansberg in a 140-pound catchweight fight at UFC Fight Night 95. As she headlines her first UFC card, the Brazilian looks back in time to explain why she’s always ready to battle.
"A fighter has to be prepared for anyone, to train every day. That’s what I learned at Chute Boxe," Cyborg said during a media day on Thursday. "There was no YouTube to check your opponent back then. It was a lottery, you didn’t know. Now you can see their record, see who they fought with. It’s a lot easier than before. Fighters didn’t choose opponents before."
Cyborg is a knockout machine and everybody expects her to unleash her striking when she enters a fight, but the Brazilian guarantees that she can dominate her opponent in other areas if needed.
"I didn’t have the chance to show my entire game yet," she said. "I have jiu-jitsu, wrestling… I like to do everything, especially knocking people out. People like fights like that. I have an arsenal of things I can use, and I’ll try. I’m prepared for any situation.
"Most of the times I’m the favorite, but I don’t see it like that. I’m always prepared for five, six rounds. I train hard. Sometimes it’s over quickly, but you have to be prepared for every round, always respecting your opponent. I know she’s there because she deserves it."
Cyborg worked hard to make 139 pounds at her UFC debut back in May, when she defeated Leslie Smith in the first round, and says that it was a harder cut this time around.
"I trained really hard for this fight," Cyborg said. "I trained twice as hard because the scale wouldn’t move. I had trouble making weight before in my career. Time goes by and you learn more. I’ve been through situations in my career when I thought I wouldn’t be able to fight, but everything worked out perfectly. It will be tougher, but everything will be alright Saturday."
In the end, Cyborg made 141 pounds on Friday morning and the UFC Fight Night 95 is official.