Cris Cyborg Confirms Plans To Retire In 2026 And Pursue A Veterinary Career

Cris Cyborg, one of the most dominant figures in women’s mixed martial arts, has confirmed that she intends to retire next year. After two decades at the top of the sport, the forty year old Brazilian says she is ready to close this chapter of her life and begin pursuing what she calls her different dreams, including becoming a veterinarian. For a fighter who has collected championship titles across multiple organisations and built a reputation as one of the most formidable competitors in MMA history, the announcement marks the approaching end of an era.

A Career Marked By Championships And Longevity

Cyborg’s record speaks to both her skill and her resilience. She has won twenty eight of her thirty one professional bouts and has not been beaten since her loss to Amanda Nunes in 2018. Her current eight fight winning streak has further cemented her status as a legend in the sport. Few fighters maintain such dominance for as long as she has. Her achievements across Strikeforce, Invicta, the UFC and the Professional Fighters League make her one of the most decorated athletes in women’s MMA. Longevity at this level is rare, and Cyborg often credits discipline and faith for her ability to stay healthy over the years.

The Final Stretch Of Her Legacy Tour

Cyborg revealed that her fight against Australia’s Sara Collins in Lyon will be the penultimate bout of her career. The match is for the PFL women’s featherweight title and forms part of what she calls her legacy tour. She explained that she has two fights left on her contract and has begun mentally preparing for retirement. For her, 2026 will be the year when she steps away from all professional competition. She noted that turning forty this July made her reflect on her future and what she wants the next stage of her life to look like. Unlike many veteran fighters, Cyborg considers herself fortunate that her career has not been defined by serious injuries. She has never required surgery, an outcome she says she is grateful for every day.

Preparing To Chase A New Dream Outside The Cage

While many fighters transition into coaching, commentary or promotional roles after retirement, Cyborg has a completely different direction in mind. She owns a ranch in Brazil, where she raised animals long before her MMA fame. Her love for animals has shaped her post fight ambitions. She plans to attend veterinary school and build a career caring for animals, a profession she has spoken about with genuine passion. For Cyborg, this is not just a fallback plan. It is a dream she has carried for years but could only pursue once her competitive journey came to a natural close.

A Legacy That Extends Beyond Titles

Cyborg’s impact on women’s MMA stretches beyond her win streaks and championship belts. She helped define what elite women’s fighting could look like at a time when the sport was still developing global recognition. Her power, athleticism and fighting spirit pushed competitors to evolve and helped elevate the women’s divisions across major promotions. This legacy will continue long after she leaves the cage. Her ability to step away from the sport on her own terms, injury free and with a clear plan for the future, is a rarity in combat sports and a testament to her discipline.

Looking Ahead To A New Chapter

As Cyborg approaches her final year in MMA, fans and fellow fighters alike are reflecting on what she has contributed to the sport. Her planned retirement in 2026 brings a sense of closure but also celebration. She has achieved longevity, success and global respect, and now she is preparing to pursue a life shaped by compassion rather than combat. Whether caring for animals on her ranch or studying veterinary science, Cyborg’s next chapter appears as purposeful as her career inside the cage. Her final fights will stand as a tribute to her remarkable run, while her future promises a different kind of fulfilment.