She did that and then some, battering Holm to win by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the UFC women's featherweight championship. Sporting News scored the fight 49-46 for Cyborg.
"Thank you, Holly Holm," Cyborg told Joe Rogan in her post-fight interview. "She’s an amazing fighter."
The magnitude of the moment didn't faze Cyborg whatsoever. Except for a period in the second round in which one judge and SN scored for Holm, did Cyborg get frustrated. But Cyborg immediately composed herself when the third round began, put the past behind her and went back to the task at hand. She pushed the pace, continuously moving forward with constant pressure and throwing heavy shots when it was appropriate.
Holm, who moved up from 135 pounds to take the fight had her moments. The second round was her best of the fight and perhaps of anyone who had faced Cyborg when she was able to connect with powerful left hands and worked the clinch to get Cyborg against the cage to attempt to wear her down.
There will be no bigger fight for Cyborg than UFC 219. Ronda Rousey is unlikely to ever return. If she does, it is highly unlikely it will be against Cyborg especially after what happened to Holm, whose entire face was bruised when the fight had ended.
The only viable options seem to be either former Invicta featherweight champion Megan Anderson or current UFC women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Cyborg stated to Rogan she was interested in fighting Anderson even if it meant having to go her home country of Australia.
Holm has now lost three of her last four fights, all by decision and two of those were title fights.
Here was Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 219 (All times are Eastern).
1:05: Round 5 to Cyborg (10-9, 49-46 Cyborg). Holm threw everything she had left in her gas tank. But anytime Holm throw her hardest shots, Cyborg laughed and threw harder. Have to give Holm credit for staying in there and eating all of those shots but Cyborg's fighting IQ and superior boxing proved to be too much. Cyborg answered a lot of questions about whether she could handle the big moment and would her cardio be good enough. She answered those questions with flying colors. Hard to see where two judges could give Holm two rounds as she was given the opening two rounds. Think about that. If Holm could have somehow won the fifth round, she would have been the new champion.
12:58: Round 4 to Cyborg (10-9, 39-37 Cyborg). Much of the same of what we saw in third round. Have to question why Holm wasn't more aggressive in the round. To Cyborg's credit, she's kept her composure, patience and not overexerting herself. Holm needs to let it all hangout and throw everything she's ever had into these final five minutes of the fight.
12:52: Round 3 to Cyborg (10-9, 29-28 Cyborg). The eye of Holm is swollen shut and Cyborg took advantage. Cyborg made the adjustments from the second round and started throwing more right hands and knees to the body. Her accuracy is uncanny and using Holm's face as target practice. Holm needs to start getting more aggressive or this fight is going to become out of reach.
12:46: Round 2 to Holm (10-9, 19-19). When was the last time Cyborg lost a round? Holm started connecting on the left hand and throwing leg kicks. Going into the clinch, throwing a knee here and there started to frustrate the champion. How does Cyborg adjust and can Holm counter that attack? Watch Holm's left eye as the fight continues as it is starting close. Could play a huge role as the fight goes on.
12:39: Round 1 to Cyborg (10-9). Shouldn't be surprised the fight is making it to round two. Cyborg won the round by landing the harder and cleaner shots. You can see the gameplan Holm is trying to implement when she presses Cyborg against the cage and works from the clinch. Holm has bruising on the bridge of her nose and Cyborg has a bloody nose.
12:24: The main event of UFC 219 is upon us as Cris Cyborg defends the women's featherweight championship against former women's bantamweight champ Holly Holm. Cyborg won title when she defeated Tonya Evinger at UFC 214 in July. Holm fought for the inaugural 145-pound title, losing a controversial decision to Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 in February. But, Holm bounced back in June when she knocked out Bethe Corriea. It's the toughest fight of Cyborg's career. Holm has been in big fights before. The winner will become the greatest female fighter of all-time
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