Trent Reinsmith
- Date & Location: Friday, May 21 @ Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
- Odds: Cris Cyborg (-1000) vs. Leslie Smith (+700) via BetOnline
- Prediction: Cyborg via knockout
On Friday, Cris Cyborg puts her Bellator women’s featherweight title on the line against Leslie Smith. These two fought in May 2016. That scrap marked Cyborg’s first fight with the UFC. The bout, which took place at a catchweight of 140 pounds. Cyborg knocked out Smith 91 seconds into the fight.
Cyborg was 16-1-0-1 after she defeated Smith. Her career record is now 23-2-0-1. The loss to Cyborg dropped Smith’s record to 8-7-1. Smith’s record now stands at 12-8-1. Cyborg has 18 career knockout wins, while Smith has five career knockout triumphs.
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CYBORG vs. SMITH PREDICTION & PICK
Cris Cyborg has been so dominant for so long that when Amanda Nunes defeated her in 2018, which was Cyborg’s first loss since her MMA debut in 2005, the countdown began on her career. Cyborg, who is 35, bounced back from that knockout loss to win her next three fights in three different manners — decision, knockout and submission. With her most recent win, Cyborg defended the featherweight title she won from Julia Budd with a submission over Arlene Blencowe.
Smith, who is 38, is one of the toughest fighters to compete in MMA, but she has never been as talented or hard-hitting as her opponent. Unless Cyborg has completely fallen off since her October stoppage of Blencowe, she should beat Smith.
Prediction: Cyborg -1409 via Bookmaker.
BETTING VALUE WITH CYBORG
The lowest I have seen Cyborg listed for this matchup is -1000 and while she is likely to win, I’m not sure of the value that bet offers as a straight win. I would be more inclined to get some additional value from a prop bet such as round, over/under on rounds or method of finish. My opinion is that this fight will end much like the first one with Cyborg getting a knockout win.
The value on Smith is there if you have a few dollars you’re willing to throw away. She is currently over +800 with some books. If she pulls off a very unlikely upset, Smith will offer a substantial payoff.
Pick: Cyborg via knockout -1100 via BetUS.
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
Cyborg has all the advantages in this matchup. The champ is the better all-around fighter and has far more ways to get the win than her opponent.
FIGHT STATS: CYBORG vs. SMITH
| Cris Cyborg | Category | Leslie Smith |
| 35 | Age | 38 |
| 23-2-0-1 | Record | 12-8-1 |
| 18 | Knockout Wins | 5 |
| 1 | Submission Wins | 0 |
| 4 | Decision Wins | 7 |
| 5’8″ | Height | 5’9″ |
| 145 | Weight | 145 |
| 68″ | Reach | 66″ |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
For Cyborg, her title and reputation as one of the best women to compete in MMA history is on the line. Time eventually catches up with every fighter and I think that’s where we are with Cyborg — waiting to see when her opponent shows up faster, stronger and more talented than she is. I don’t think that opponent is Smith.
As for Smith. Cyborg knocked her out in under two minutes in their first meeting. She is looking for redemption as well as the Bellator title.
