Cristiane Justino Venâncio, better known by her ring name Cris Cyborg, is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist who is celebrated for her achievements across multiple major MMA promotions.
Born on July 9, 1985, Cyborg is the only MMA fighter to become a Grand Slam Champion, holding world championships in UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC.
You can follow Cris Cyborg’s net worth, prize money, career earnings, contract, stats, fiance, career overview, and more here.
Cris Cyborg’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Cristiane Justino Venâncio |
| Nickname | Cyborg |
| Birth Date | July 9, 1985 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Birthplace | Curitiba, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian-American |
| Religion | – |
| College | – |
| Turned Professional | 2005 |
| Current Net Worth | $28 million |
| Relationship Status | Engaged |
| Fiance | Ray Elbe |
| Ex-Husband | Ray Elbe |
| Instagram Profile | @criscyborg |
Cristiane Justino Venâncio, Cris Cyborg, was born on July 9, 1985, in the Brazilian city of Curitiba. Her birthplace, known for its rich martial arts culture, would significantly shape her future as a combat sports athlete.
As a child of divorced parents, Cyborg faced personal challenges early on, including dealing with a father who struggled with alcoholism.
Early Career
As a young girl, Cyborg faced the challenges of growing up with divorced parents and a father who struggled with alcoholism.
Still, she found an outlet in sports, particularly handball, where she excelled nationally.
Her transition from handball to mixed martial arts began when she was discovered by Rudimar Fedrigo, the founder and head coach of Chute Boxe Academy.
Impressed by her physical size and athleticism, Fedrigo encouraged a hesitant Cyborg to try fighting.
She accepted his offer and attended a free Muay Thai class at the Chute Boxe gym, which sparked her interest in combat sports.
This pivotal moment led to her meeting Evangelista Santos, a fellow fighter and training partner, whom she would later marry and adopt the nickname “Cyborg.”
Professional Career
Cristiane Justino Venâncio, known professionally as Cris Cyborg, has had a storied professional career in mixed martial arts, making history as the only Grand Slam Champion.
Cyborg first gained prominence in the MMA world when she won the Strikeforce title on August 15, 2009, defeating Gina Carano via first-round technical knockout (TKO).
Cyborg competes in Bellator MMA, where she is the current Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, having held the title since January 2020.
Her professional MMA record stands at 27 wins, two losses, and one no-contest, with 21 of her wins coming by knockout.
Cyborg’s career has not been limited to MMA; she has also ventured into professional boxing, with a record of 3 wins. Additionally, she has competed in kickboxing, with a record of 2 wins and one loss.
Her most recent MMA victory came on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300, where she defended her featherweight title with a first-round TKO victory over Cat Zingano.
Fiance
Cris Cyborg is engaged to Ray Elbe, a former professional mixed martial artist with a professional MMA record of 23-11.
Ray Elbe competed in the welterweight division across various organizations during his career. He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and sixteen of his twenty-three wins came via submission.
After a long-term relationship, Cris Cyborg announced her engagement to Ray Elbe in 2017.
Ex-Husband
Evangelista Santos, also known as “Cyborg,” is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist married to Cristiane Justino, better known as Cris Cyborg, from 2005 to December 2011.
During their marriage, Cristiane adopted his nickname “Cyborg,” which she has become widely known in the MMA community.
Cris Cyborg’s Net Worth Details
Cris Cyborg’s net worth is estimated to be $28 million as of 2025. Her earnings come from her prize money as a professional MMA fighter, endorsements, and other sources.
Career Earnings
| Event | Opponent | Date | Earnings |
| Bellator 300 | Cat Zingano | Oct 8, 2023 | $300,000 |
| UFC 222 | Yana Kunitskaya | Mar 3, 2018 | $500,000 |
| UFC 219 | Holly Holm | Dec 30, 2017 | $590,000 (including a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus) |
| UFC 214 | Tonya Evinger | Jul 29, 2017 | $230,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg | Lina Lansberg | Sept 24, 2016 | $132,500 |
| UFC 198 | Leslie Smith | May 14, 2016 | $122,500 |
Endorsements
Cris Cyborg, a prominent figure in women’s MMA, has been selective and strategic about her endorsements, partnering with companies that align with her brand and values.
Over the years, she has endorsed several brands, contributing significantly to her net worth and public image.
Her endorsements include:
- Fusion Labs: Cyborg has partnered with Fusion Labs, emphasizing health and wellness products.
- EXTRACT Lab: She has endorsed EXTRACT Lab, known for its CBD products, showcasing her interest in recovery and wellness.
- Dunkin’ Orange County: A partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts in Orange County highlights her local community engagement.
- Air Asia: Cyborg has worked with Air Asia, indicating her appeal on an international level.
- Reebok: As a major sports brand, Reebok’s endorsement deal with Cyborg underscores her status in the athletic world.
- GRRRL Clothing: By endorsing GRRRL Clothing, Cyborg aligns herself with brands that empower women.
- VersaClimber: She has also been featured in advertisements for VersaClimber, a fitness equipment brand, further emphasizing her commitment to fitness and training.
Career Stats
| Category | Stats |
| Significant Strikes Landed per Minute | 7.28 |
| Significant Striking Accuracy | 52% |
| Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute | 2.25 |
| Significant Strike Defense | 64% |
| Avg Takedowns Landed per 15min | 0.66 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 55% |
| Takedown Defense | 94% |
| Avg Submissions Attempted per 15min | 0.4 |
FAQs
1. Who is Cris Cyborg?
Cris Cyborg, born Cristiane Justino Venancio on July 9, 1985, in Curitiba, Brazil, is a pioneering mixed martial artist renowned for her aggressive striking and knockout power. She transitioned from national level handball to MMA in 2005 under coach Rudimar Fedrigo at the Chute Boxe Academy. Over her career, she has become one of the greatest female fighters in history, competing at the highest level across multiple global promotions.
2. What world championships has Cris Cyborg won?
Cris Cyborg is the only athlete in MMA history to achieve a Grand Slam by capturing world featherweight titles in StrikeForce, Invicta FC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bellator MMA, and the Professional Fighters League. Her collection of championships across five major organizations demonstrates her ability to adapt and dominate opponents against the highest caliber of competition.
3. What is Cris Cyborg’s professional MMA record?
Cris Cyborg holds a professional MMA record of 28 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest. Her victories include numerous knockout and technical knockout finishes that showcase her power, while her two career defeats have both come via knockout at the hands of elite opponents. Her record reflects consistency at the top level over nearly two decades of competition.
4. When did Cris Cyborg become a naturalized U.S. citizen?
Cris Cyborg earned American citizenship in 2016 after completing the legal requirements for naturalization. Having moved to the United States to pursue her fighting career, she settled in Huntington Beach, California, where she has lived since. Her dual citizenship allows her to train and compete internationally while maintaining her Brazilian heritage.
5. What humanitarian initiatives does Cris Cyborg support?
Cris Cyborg is active in a variety of philanthropic efforts focusing on underprivileged communities, at-risk youth, and women’s empowerment programs. She has organized anti-bullying workshops, raised funds for Brazil’s Erasto Gaertner Children’s Cancer Hospital, and launched PinkBelt Fitness retreats exclusively for women. She also collaborates with the Fight For The Forgotten to provide fresh water to remote communities in Uganda.
