Cris Cyborg faces Simone Silva next month in her professional boxing debut

Cris Cyborg will finally get the chance to realize a lifelong dream when she competes in professional boxing for the first time in September.

The reigning Bellator featherweight champion announced the news on The MMA Hour on Wednesday.

Cyborg will face off with Simone Silva in the main event of a FMS (Fight Music Show) card on Sept. 25 with the promotion’s middleweight championship going up for grabs. The bout will take place at the Athletico Paranaense Arena in Curitiba, Brazil, which was also the site of Cyborg’s UFC debut in 2016.

Silva boasts a 17-21 career record with six victories coming by way of knockout but she’s currently riding an eight-fight losing streak dating back to 2019.

As for Cyborg, the 37-year-old combat sports veteran has long desired the opportunity to crossover to boxing while still pursuing championships in mixed martial arts.

She’s had experience working with boxers such as Claressa Shields and was linked recently to a possible matchup against Katie Taylor, an Irish boxing champion.

Cyborg will start by getting her feet wet in the fight against Silva scheduled for September.

Cyborg will make her professional boxing debut. However, she has previously competed in striking sports such as Muay Thai where she faced notable opponents like Jorina Bers.

Cyborg recently defended her Bellator title by winning unanimously over Arlene Blencowe. This extended her win streak to six consecutive after she lost to Amanda Nunes at the UFC.

Now Cyborg will put on her gloves to fight in her first bout with boxing. There is always the chance of more matches.

The card in Brazil will also feature several more high profile matchups including former boxing champion Acelino Popo taking on MMA legend Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons in a boxing match as well as Wanderlei Silva’s son Thor Silva making his mixed martial arts debut against Paulo Rangel.

UFC veterans Milton Vieira and Felipe Arantes will also clash for a second time after fighting to a split draw at UFC 147 back in 2012.