When Cris Cyborg first fought Leslie Smith back in 2016, it took only 81 seconds for Cyborg to get the TKO. The rematch on Friday night for the Bellator women’s featherweight title nearly went the distance, but it was also extremely lopsided and once again Cyborg came out victorious.
Cyborg stopped an extraordinarily tough Smith with strikes with just nine seconds left in the final round of the Bellator 259 main event. Smith was dropped and hurt multiple times, taken down multiple times, and whatever offense she did muster up was answered by Cyborg and then some.
Afterward, Cyborg called out Cat Zingano for her next title defense, and it seems like the logical fight to make.
Watch the highlights below:
That was the only finish on the main card, as the other four bouts went the distance. Leandro Higo may have missed weight for his rematch with Darrion Caldwell, but he nevertheless got some measure of revenge for his 2018 title bout loss with a split decision win over ‘The Wolf,’ who is now 2-4 in his last six. Score one for those who win rounds off of their back like Higo managed in round two. He did have a shaky moment when he landed an illegal knee in the third round, but he only lost his position and not a point. Not a particularly memorable fight and once again Caldwell was bereft of offense while on top.
Austin Vanderford and Jaleel Willis prevailed in their respective bouts, while Valerie Loureda suffered her first pro defeat at the hands of Hannah Guy. Needless to say, Loureda’s ground game needs some work.
Main Card (Showtime at 9 p.m. ET)
Cris Cyborg def. Leslie Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 5, 4:51
Leandro Higo def. Darrion Caldwell via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Austin Vanderford def. Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaleel Willis def. Maycon Mendonca via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Hannah Guy def. Valerie Loureda via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (Online, 5:30 p.m. ET)
Saad Awad def. Nate Andrews via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:16
Grant Neal def. Tyree Fortune via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:20
Sumiko Inaba def. Kristina Katsikis via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:35
Aviv Gozali def. Sean Felton via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:17
Davion Franklin def. Tyler King via KO (punch) – Round 1, 2:02
Leah McCourt def. Janay Harding via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:42
Danny Sabatello def. Brett Johns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Shabliy def. Alfie Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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