Cris Cyborg retains Bellator featherweight title by unanimous decision

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Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg squares off with opponent Arlene Blencowe during a press conference for Bellator 279 at the Grammy Museum at LA Live in Los Angeles, Monday April 11, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Cris Cyborg dominated Arlene Blencowe in the main event of Bellator 279 on Saturday night, winning by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45).

With the win, Cyborg defended her Bellator women’s featherweight title for the fourth straight time.

Cyborg overpowered her rival with a commanding performance in the first round before unleashing a leg kick and elbow to Blencowe’s face to secure the win in the second. Blencowe, with a bloodied face, pointed to the ground to indicate the end of the fight.

“You have to change every fight,” Cyborg said. “You have to improve and get a better game. Today, I showed a little more.”

Cyborg has just one loss, to Amanda Nunes in 2018, since her professional debut in 2005. The 36-year-old improved to 5-0 in Bellator with Saturday’s win.