Report: Who Will Cris Cyborg’s First Bellator Title Defense Be Against?

It appears Cris Cyborg’s first Bellator title defense is set.

Amy Kaplan of Fansided.com is reporting that Cyborg and Arlene Blencowe have signed on for a Bellator Women’s Featherweight Title fight. A date hasn’t been determined but the belief is that it’ll take place before 2020 comes to a close.

BREAKING: I have confirmed with multiple sources that a @BellatorMMA featherweight title fight between Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) and Arlene Blencowe is signed, date TBD but is thought to happen before the end of 2020. pic.twitter.com/Xb3joAYn35

— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) September 10, 2020

Cyborg captured the 145-pound gold from Julia Budd back on January 25. She defeated Budd via fourth-round TKO. It’s yet another major championship added to Cyborg’s mantle. She has captured gold in the UFC, Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and now Bellator.

Blencowe is riding a three-fight winning streak. In that span, she’s beaten Amber Leibrock, Amanda Bell, and Leslie Smith. Blencowe scored a TKO victory over Leibrock and a knockout win over Bell.

This won’t be Blencowe’s first crack at Bellator gold. She challenged Budd for the Women’s Featherweight Championship back on December 1, 2017. Blencowe fell just short in that bout, losing via split decision.

Blencowe has been going through a bit of a turnaround in her career over the last few years. Her fighting career started off at 2-4. Since that stretch, she has gone 11-3. Along the way, Blencowe developed an appetite for finishing fights. She has amassed seven knockout victories and has one submission win.