Little-known Australian Sara Collins is set for the biggest fight of her career after the Professional Fighters League announced she would take on MMA legend Cris Cyborg in France on December 13.
The PFL Women’s Featherweight World Championship will go on the line in the co-main event at Lyon’s LDLC Arena.
Cyborg (28-2) is regarded as one of the greatest female fighters of all-time and has been a champion in every major organisation she has competed in.
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Australian MMA fighter Sara Collins during the Professional Fighters League Pacific Launch. Getty
Collins (6-0) is a 35-year-old from Victoria who switched to MMA after a fine judo career.
Collins, a Ronda Rousey fan, was a four-time Australian champion in the sport and competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
A string of nasty injuries – including three knee surgeries and a ruptured Achilles tendon – ended her judo career and she switched to MMA in 2019.
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Sara Collins lands a blow on Sinead Kavanagh. Getty
“As long as I can walk, I can fight,” Collins said last year.
Collins’ last fight was a victory over Ireland’s Leah McCourt 12 months ago.
Cyborg, 40, last defended her featherweight title in 2023 when she stopped Cat Zingano at Bellator 300.
Cris Cyborg with a bloodied face competes against Larissa Pacheco. Getty
That promotion has since been acquired by the PFL.
PFL Lyon will be headlined by a World Heavyweight Championship main event between former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) and 2024 PFL heavyweight tournament champion Renan Ferreira (13-4).
“French MMA fans have been tremendous supporters of the PFL, and we are proud to deliver a card worthy of their passion and loyalty,” PFL CEO John Martin said.
“Fans will experience some of the biggest names and most exciting matchups in the sport, a true showcase of world champions, rising stars, and hometown heroes.”
Martin also announced changes to the PFL’s system on social media.
“Historically, the PFL crowned champions through its season or tournament format, where the winner held the title for that year,” Martin wrote.
Sara Collins celebrates her victory over Sinead Kavanagh. Getty
“I recognise this created some confusion about who truly sat atop each division.
“That confusion grew when the PFL and Bellator merged, bringing in not only tournament champions but also legacy Bellator champions who defended their belts, leaving fans unclear on who was the definitive champion in each weight class. We are now simplifying our championship system.
“Going forward, each division will have one PFL World Champion, the single, undisputed titleholder in that weight class.”