Cris Cyborg to make pro boxing debut against Simone Silva on Sept. 25

Cristiane Justino’s long-discussed professional boxing debut finally has a date and opponent.

“Cyborg” announced on "The MMA Hour" that she will square off against Simone Silva in the main event of a Fight Music Show card on Sept. 25. The event will take place at Athletico Paranaense Arena in Curitiba, Brazil, and the organization’s middleweight title will be on the line.

Justino has long expressed a desire to make a foray into the Sweet Science, even going so far as to receive her boxing license from the California State Athletic Commission in 2017. “Cyborg” has previously spent time training with boxing champ — and PFL talent — Claressa Shields. She has also dabbled in Muay Thai, notably falling to Jorina Baars under the Lion Fight banner in 2014. As far as MMA goes, the heavy-handed Brazilian is coming off a successful featherweight title defense in a rematch with Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 on April 23.

The 39-year-old Silva owns a 17-21 mark as a professional boxer. The Sao Paulo native has lost eight consecutive bouts dating back to December 2019.

The FMS card will include several other bouts of note. Ex-boxing champ Acelino Popo and MMA veteran Jose Landi-Johns will square off, while Thor Silva, the son of Wanderlei Silva, will make his MMA debut against Paulo Rangel.