Very few fighters have stood and traded with Cris Cyborg and emerged victorious, and the Bellator women’s featherweight champion added another name to her long list of knockout victims at Bellator 271.

Cyborg knocked out Sinead Kavanagh in one minute, 32 seconds with a massive right hand to register the 20th KO win, and 11th first-round knockout, of her career to retain her stranglehold on the women’s 145-pound division.

Cyborg’s victory topped the highlight reel on a main card dominated by decisions in Hollywood, Florida.

English heavyweight contender Linton Vassell handed Tyrell Fortune the second loss of his career after using his grappling skills to earn a split-decision win, while Aaron Pico looked outstanding against previously undefeated Justin Gonzales. However, the featherweight hot prospect was unable to claim a stoppage as he went to the scorecards for the first time in his career.

There was also a dominant win for top-ranked women’s featherweight contender Arlene Blencowe, who outpointed Pam Sorenson in the main card opener.

Bellator 271: Official results

Main Card

  • Cris Cyborg def. Sinead Kavanagh via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:32 – for Bellator women’s featherweight title
  • Linton Vassell def. Tyrell Fortune via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Aaron Pico def. Justin Gonzales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Arlene Blencowe def. Pam Sorenson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card

  • Steve Mowry def. Rakim Cleveland via submission (Kimura) – Round 1, 3:28
  • Bruna Ellen def. Desiree Yanez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Roman Faraldo def. Robert Turnquest via knockout (flying knee) – Round 1, 1:17
  • Cody Law def. Colton Hamm via knockout (elbows) – Round 1, 4:21
  • Valerie Loureda def. Taylor Turner via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Muhammed DeReese via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ethan Hughes def. Mahmoud Sebie via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:05

Photo credit: Bellator MMA/Lucas Noonan