Tomorrow night in the main event of Bellator 279, one of the greatest female fighters of all time returns to defend her title. Reigning featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (25-2) is back as she takes on Arlene Blencowe (15-8).
This fight is a rematch from 2020 when these two headlined Bellator 249. That night, Cyborg rolled through Blencowe on her way to picking up the second round submission. It was actually the first submission win in the career of Cyborg.
Since losing in her first title fight against Cyborg, Blencowe has looked solid. She’s fought twice most recently at Bellator 271 in November when she picked up a decision win over Pam Sorenson.
Cyborg has also fought twice since the first time her and Blencowe fought. She also last fought at Bellator 271 when she knocked out Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh in the first round with a vicious right hook to defend her title.
Bellator 279 Prediction
The odds on this main event are extremely lopsided and they should be. Since they first fought at Bellator 249, I haven’t really seen enough from Blencowe that would lead me to believe that she’s the one to defeat Cyborg.
Cyborg has ran through every opponent that she’s fought in Bellator. Her contract is coming up and I really don’t see her losing this fight as she prepares to re-enter the free agent market.
Wherever Cyborg wants this fight to be, she’s going to take it there. Blencowe has very solid standup, but she’s at a huge power and speed disadvantage. Those advantages for Cyborg are so overwhelming that I just don’t see how Blencowe gets through them.
Cyborg is going to finish this fight quickly and retain her Bellator title. The storyline after this fight will not be the performance, it will be what comes next after her dominant victory.
Prediction: Cris Cyborg by TKO – Round 1