Cris ‘Cyborg’ Returns to Boxing, Meets Kelsey Wickstrum in California on Jan. 19

Tristen CritchfieldNov 08, 2023


Cristiane Justino’s next combat sports appearance will be in the Sweet Science.

“Cyborg” will face Kelsey Wickstrum in a six-round boxing match at 154 pounds on Jan. 19 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. ESPN was first to report the booking.

Justino has two boxing matches — one professional and one exhibition — under her belt already. In her official pro debut, the Brazilian defeated Gabrielle Holloway via unanimous decision this past December. The 36-year-old Wickstrum, meanwhile, is 2-0 as a pro boxer with one knockout.

Justino, who is currently Bellator’s reigning featherweight champion, returned to MMA on Oct. 7, when she defeated Cat Zingano via first-round technical knockout at Bellator 300. “Cyborg” has held belts in Bellator, the UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta FC over the course of an MMA career that began in 2005.

Her next move in MMA is unclear with Bellator facing an uncertain future. The California-based promotion is currently up for sale, and Professional Fighters League is reportedly expected to acquire the organization in the near future. Meanwhile, Bellator broadcast partner Showtime recently announced that it will no longer have MMA and boxing content after 2023.