'Cyborg' debuts at UFC 198 against Leslie Smith

"Cyborg" has long been considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in women's MMA but she has been unable to fight in the UFC previously due to her weight class at 145 pounds. "Cyborg" has gone undefeated for over 10 years while also winning titles in Strikeforce and Invicta FC.



"Cyborg" was embroiled in a war of words with former champ Ronda Rousey for several years, but the bout never came together due to the Brazilian being unable to cut down to 135 pounds. Still, "Cyborg" campaigned for a shot at UFC 198 because the show takes place in her home country of Brazil at the 40,000 seat soccer stadium in Curitiba.

Now the fearsome featherweight will get her wish as she drops down to 140 pounds and takes on a UFC veteran in her Octagon debut.
Smith accepted the fight with "Cyborg" after a win over Rin Nakai at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir in Australia just over a week ago.
The veteran bantamweight has gone 2-2 during her campaign with the UFC but now she'll face the largest test of her entire career when she faces "Cyborg" on May 14."Cyborg" vs. Smith joins a growing lineup headed to Brazil, including the heavyweight main even pitting Fabricio Werdum against Stipe Miocic.

Tickets for the upcoming UFC 198 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, which takes place at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, on Sat., May 14, 2016, will go on sale to the general public tomorrow morning (Weds., March 30, 2016) at 9 a.m. ET.

According to MMA Junkie, online ticket sales will be handled by Live Pass and prices will range from $38 to $407.

UFC 198 promises to be one of the most stacked pay-per-views (PPV) of the year with a headlining bout that will see Heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum take on Stipe Miocic. In the co-headlining act, Vitor Belfort will face off against fellow Brazilian Ronaldo Souza. In other action, Anderson Silva will make a quick turnaround to face Uriah Hall. In addition, Mauricio Rua makes his Octagon return when he faces off against Corey Anderson in Light Heavyweight action.


If that weren't enough, Cris Cyborg will make her much-anticipated Octagon debut when she faces Leslie Smith in a Catchweight bout. If that's not enough to fill the 42,000 seat stadium, I don't know what is.

This Card is STACKED !!!


Event: UFC 198: "Werdum vs. Miocic"
Date: Sat., May 14, 2016
Location: Arena da Baixada stadium in Curitiba, Brazil
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View



UFC 198 PPV Main Event:
265 lbs.: UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic



UFC 198 PPV Co-Main Event:
185 lbs.: Ronaldo Souza vs. Vitor Belfort


UFC 198 Undercard (PPV/FOX Sports 1/UFC Fight Pass):
185 lbs.: Anderson Silva vs. Uriah Hall
170 lbs.: Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown
205 lbs.: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Patrick Cummins
205 lbs.: Mauricio Rua vs. Corey Anderson
170 lbs.: Bryan Barberena vs. Warlley Alves
185 lbs.: Nate Marquardt vs. Thiago Santos
155 lbs.: Yancy Medeiros vs. Francisco Trinaldo
170 lbs.: Sergio Moraes vs. Kamaru Usman
145 lbs.: Renato Moicano vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
135 lbs.: Rob Font vs. John Lineker
140 lbs.: Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith (catchweight)

Cyborg opens as huge favorite over Smith ... No Shocker here ...



Cristiane Justino -1375
Leslie Smith +900