Cris Cyborg and Yana Kunitskaya meet in new UFC 222 main event:

Cris Cyborg steps up to save UFC 222.
Brazilian Women's Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has stepped up on short notice to defend her 145lbs crown and subsequently save the injury stricken UFC 222 card, as she faces current Invicta FC Bantamweight champion Yana 'Foxy' Kunitskaya in a new title fight headliner. The male equivalent of the title was set to be defended by Max Holloway against Frankie Edgar, until an unspecified leg injury to the Wainaie native forced him from the Las Vegas event. Edgar has since been re-booked alongside fellow contender Brain Ortega, while reigning champion Cyborg will face promotion newcomer Kunitskaya in a five round headliner.

After a coolly executed game plan against the always dangerous Holly Holm, Brazilian striking ace Cris Cyborg cemented her place atop the pound-for-pound Female MMA rankings. The Curitiba native was expected to finally face a legitimate Featherweight in her next title defence, with Invicta's Megan Anderson the consensus best challenge that awaited Cyborg, while a 'superfight' between compatriots Cyborg and UFC Bantamweight title holder Amanda Nunes was also slated for the co main event of UFC 226. While both fights are as of yet to come to fruition, Cris faces a considerable challenge against the talented striker Kunitskaya in the meantime.


The reigning Invicta FC 135lbs queen, Yana Kunitskaya most recently retained said crown in a unanimous decision display over Raquel Pa'aluhi after a couple of bouts with Tonya Evinger, firstly claiming a victory later ruled a 'No Contest' due to referring controversy and then in the pair's rematch, the Russian lost via a second round rear-naked choke to her now fellow UFC prospect. With Taekwondo, Muay Thai and UKADO accolades under her belt, Kunitskaya is a renowned kickboxer, but often finds herself susceptible to grappling exchanges and scrambles, with her two most recent defeats coming by way of submission, something the BJJ black belt Cyborg may look to target and utilise.

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