Cyborg title not at stake as opponent misses weight

Cris Cyborg’s potential retirement fight was almost cancelled on the eve of the bout after her opponent missed the weight by a huge seven pounds.

Her fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira, 34, tipped the scales at 152lbs (10st 12lb) for their 145lb (10st 5lb) fight in Tampa, Florida, which was for the PFL’s featherweight world title.

Saturday’s bout was in danger of being called off, but instead it will proceed as a catchweight bout with Cyborg’s world title not at stake.

Reacting on social media, Cyborg, 41, wrote: “We don’t care. Porrada.”

Cyborg, who made the championship weight limit, had suggested Saturday’s contest might be her last after a glittering 21-year career which has included her winning world titles in Strikeforce, Belltator, the UFC and the PFL.

The MMA legend admitted she thought the fight would be scrapped after hearing on Friday morning that her opponent was going to miss the weight.

“I believe Pederneiras’ team is very professional and I’m not here to judge them, but she fought at 135lb, moved up to 145lb, and fought in May [in the UFC],” Cyborg told ESPN Brasil.

“I think they were going to cancel the fight and everything, but there was a conversation to make sure the fight wouldn’t get cancelled, and they reached a catchweight agreement.

“I’m happy that I made weight. I’m really happy that the fight is going to happen.”

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Vieira explained a health issue prevented her from continung to cut weight.

Vieira, who has 15 UFC fights to her name, will forfeit a portion of her purse.

“I had severe pain in my kidneys and stomach since last night. I felt really sick throughout the entire night. Master ‘Dede’ [coach Andre Pederneiras] slept in my bed with me, massaging my back so I could get some sleep,” she said.

“This morning, I felt sick again and had another severe episode. I can’t explain why this happened. I was doing well on weight, I’m a bantamweight fighter, and it had nothing to do with my weight.

“I was in a lot of pain, and [my coach] wouldn’t let me continue losing weight. I was doing well and sweating properly, but then I had this very severe episode, and [my coach] chose to prioritise my health.”