Last night, the UFC’s International Fight Week got its first taste of professional MMA in the form of Invicta FC 13. While Invicta’s Las Vegas card featured a number of prospects, all eyes were on their defending featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg. Faith Van Duin was the woman given the difficult task of dethroning Cyborg but the New Zealander was unable to make it past the first round against the ever-entertaining Brazilian.
Cristiane Justino (c) vs. Faith Van Duin
Official result: Cristiane Justino def. Faith Van Duin by TKO (knee), 0;40 rd 1
What was the high point of the fight?
This fight ended with a quick and brutal display of violence, like most expected. The champion stepped in and immediately pressed forward. From the moment Van Duin first felt Cyborg’s power, the finish was imminent. A strong knee to the body spelled the beginning of the end for Van Duin, who wasn’t able to handle Cyborg’s aggressiveness. The clear highpoint of this fight was Justino’s powerful striking.
Where do these two go from here?
It’s clear that the fight everyone wants to see is Cyborg Justino vs. Ronda Rousey. However, Rousey is tied up with Bethe Correia and Justino has yet to show that she can even make the 135lb. weight limit. As disappointing as it is, Cyborg’s next fight will most likely be with Invicta.
They say fortune favors the brave and that might be true, but it also has a tendency to to punish the foolhardy. While Faith Van Duin showed bravery by taking a fight against Cyborg, she may well have damaged her burgeoning career by receiving a one-sided beating at the hands of the champion. Expect Van Duin to face an opponent at her own skill level next time out.
Watch now, later, or never?
Watch now. This fight only lasted 45 seconds and was filled with the violence that Cyborg is known for.