5 reasons why 'Cyborg' is an MMA GOAT

#2. Longevity

Cris Cyborg at UFC 198 weigh-in, via UFC

Since 2005, the featherweight division has known 'Cyborg' as a fierce competitor.

She lost her professional debut in the first round via a gruesome kneebar. A loss in that fashion would stop most fighters in their tracks, but the future champion brushed it off by winning her next ten matches. The win streak was halted by a no contest, then continued up until her bout with Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 in 2018.

In 2011, 'Cyborg's record was tarnished. She won the fight against Hiroko Yamanaka, but the decision was later overturned due to a failed drug test. As a result, she was suspended from fighting for a year. Later in 2017, she was popped for another banned substance. This is an unfortunate part of her career, but not a defining one. She owned up to her mistakes, learned from them, dealt with the punishment, and went back to fighting.

At the age of 36, 'Cyborg' continues to devastate the competition. After parting ways with the UFC, she started winning with Bellator. As the newly crowned Bellator featherweight champion, she won her first title defense with a rear-naked choke against Arlene Blencowe.

She is the reigning champion and has another upcoming title defense. She will face Arlene Blencowe for a second time on April 23 at Bellator 279 in Hawaii.