Sara Collins Proves She Belongs Among the Elite Despite Loss to Cris Cyborg at PFL Lyon

Australian MMA standout Sara Collins delivered a courageous and career defining performance despite suffering a third round submission loss to legendary champion Cris Cyborg at PFL Lyon.

Taking on one of the most dominant fighters in women’s mixed martial arts history, Collins pushed Cyborg deep into the fight before being caught in a rear naked choke late in the third round. The result allowed Cyborg to retain her featherweight title, but the bout did far more to elevate Collins’ reputation on the global stage.

Sara Collins Faces the Ultimate Test

The fight marked the toughest challenge of Collins’ professional career. The 35 year old entered the bout undefeated after winning the first six fights of her career and stepped into the cage against a fighter widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time.

Despite the experience gap, Collins showed composure, toughness, and technical skill throughout the contest. A former judoka, she executed two clean takedowns on Cyborg, something very few fighters have been able to achieve against the Brazilian star.

While Cyborg was able to reverse the second takedown and eventually secure the submission, Collins’ ability to compete with an all time great under championship pressure highlighted her potential at the highest level.

Toughness and Composure Under Pressure

Cyborg applied constant forward pressure from the opening round, landing heavy kicks and forcing Collins to defend for extended periods. Collins absorbed the punishment, defended intelligently, and continued to look for opportunities rather than simply surviving.

The submission came late in the third round, which spoke volumes about Collins’ conditioning, durability, and mental strength. It was also only the second submission victory of Cyborg’s 32 fight career, underlining just how difficult it is to finish fights against her on the ground.

Respect Earned on the World Stage

Following the fight, Cyborg celebrated her ninth straight win and confirmed she plans to retire next year. With world titles across four major promotions and a career spanning two decades, Cyborg remains a benchmark for greatness in women’s MMA.

For Collins, sharing the cage with such a legend and pushing her into deep waters represents a major step forward. The experience is expected to accelerate her growth and raise her profile within Australian MMA and internationally.

Notably, Northern Ireland’s Leah McCourt, who Cyborg mentioned as a possible future opponent, was previously submitted by Collins. That result further reinforces the Australian’s standing among the world’s top featherweights.

What’s Next for Sara Collins

Despite the loss, Collins remains one of Australia’s most promising female fighters. Her performance against Cyborg demonstrated elite grappling foundations, the ability to handle championship level pressure, and the toughness required to compete with the very best.

Rather than a setback, the bout stands as a statement performance. Collins proved she belongs at the highest level and is capable of challenging the sport’s elite.

As Australian MMA continues to grow, Sara Collins’ performance in Lyon may be remembered as the moment she announced herself on the global stage.

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