Cyborg runs through Zingano to retain Bellator featherweight title

Cris Cyborg is still the baddest woman in Bellator.

Cyborg defeated Cat Zingano via TKO at the 4:01 mark of the first round to retain the women's featherweight title in the Bellator 300 co-main event Saturday night in San Diego.

Cyborg capitalized on an unsuccessful takedown attempt by Zingano to secure the win. The Brazilian got on top of the challenger and pounded her out until the referee waved off the fight.

Cyborg faced minimal adversity in her fifth title defense. She got off to a fast start, tagging Zingano with heavy right hands. Cyborg also showed Zingano she was physically stronger in the clinch and stuffed multiple takedown attempts.

After the fight, Cyborg stared down potential next opponent Leah McCourt, who earned a first-round TKO win over former UFC fighter Sara McMann on the Bellator 300 preliminary card.

With the victory, Cyborg improves her winning streak to seven. She has been the Bellator women's featherweight champ since January 2020. Cyborg re-signed with the promotion on a multi-fight deal in May after a stint as a free agent.

The 38-year-old is one of the greatest women's fighters of all time, having held championships in the UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC. Cyborg hasn't lost since a knockout defeat to former UFC two-division champion Amanda Nunes in 2018.

Zingano's four-fight winning streak ended, and she suffered her first loss under the Bellator banner. Zingano is also a former UFC fighter, having competed in that promotion from 2013-18. She challenged Ronda Rousey for the UFC women's bantamweight title in 2014.

The 41-year-old joined Bellator in 2020 and won her first four fights in the promotion. Zingano earned a title shot by beating McCourt in March.