Although Sinead Kavanagh is known for her striking, Cris Cyborg's power was too much for the Irish fighter to handle.
At Bellator 271 inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Cyborg knocked out Kavanagh in the first round. Cyborg successfully defended the Bellator Featherweight Title for the third time.
The fight started with some fire, as both landed solid punches. Those in attendance were on their feet immediately thanks in part to the flurry of punches. Cyborg would then toss Kavanagh by the cage in an attempt to bring her down.
“I knew she was more of a striker, so I went to the ground game," Cyborg stated after the fight. "The right hand did it fast and was the key. I was very excited for the count.”
They then both got up and Cyborg was kicking her by the cage. Another flurry of fists landed by Cyborg and Kavanagh, each sounding harder than the next.
Cyborg would then take control and landed a big jab followed by a right by the cage that knocked Kavanagh down to the floor. She then landed hammer fists that put Kavanagh out for good.
.@CrisCyborg leaves no doubt as to her championship status.
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2021
She is now 4️⃣ & 0️⃣ inside the #Bellator cage.#Bellator271 pic.twitter.com/TcwYl57kPC
That was the fifth win in a row for Cyborg. After the fight, she discussed potentially facing Cat Zingano next. She also had an interest in facing Arlene Blencowe again. Cyborg beat Blencowe in 2020, and the latter won her fight against Pam Sorenson earlier in the night to go 2-0 since the Cyborg loss.
There is also the option of Kayla Harrison, who was in attendance at Bellator 271. A free agent, the two-time PFL Champion has been linked to Cyborg for a while. While she said some brief words about Harrison, Cyborg did not want to spend all of her time talking about a fight that may not come to fruition.
“I really appreciate Kayla Harrison coming to the fight. If she wants to fight me one day, that would be great," Cyborg went on to say.
The loss ended a two-fight win streak for Kavanagh.
Cris Cyborg def. Sinead Kavanagh via KO (1:32 into round one) - Bellator Featherweight Title
Linton Vassell def. Tyrell Fortune via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Aaron Pico def. Justin Gonzales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Arlene Blencowe def. Pam Sorenson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Steve Mowry def. Rakim Cleveland via submission (3:28 into round one)
Bruna Ellen def. Desiree Yanez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Roman Faraldo def. Robert Turnquest via KO (1:17 into round one)
Cody Law def. Colton Hamm via KO (4:21 into round one)
Valerie Loureda def. Taylor Turner via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Muhammed DeReese via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ethan Hughes def. Mahmoud Sebie via TKO (4:05 into round three)
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