Latest news with #CheyanneVlismas
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
UFC Veteran Announces Retirement 2 Days Before Her 30th Birthday
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: A detail shot of Khabib Nurmagomedov's gloves as he ... More announces his retirement in the Octagon after his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Cheyanne Vlismas put family first. She took to Instagram to announce her retirement from mixed martial arts, despite obvious talent and the star power to make a mark in the strawweight or flyweight divisions in the UFC. Vlismas made her announcement on Instagram, citing the need to spend time with her young children. The now-30-year-old, aka The Warrior Princess, made the announcement two days before her milestone birthday. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Cheyanne Vlismas poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ... More weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Here is a look at Vlismas' retirement message on IG. While Vlismas never became a household name, she made a memorable mark in the UFC during the pandemic. The UFC was one of the only major sports organizations that never shut down during 2020, and Vlismas had her best moments in MMA from 2020–21. In August 2020, Vlismas earned a contract with the UFC after scoring a unanimous decision victory over Hilarie Rose on the Dana White Contender Series. That win led to her promotional debut with the UFC in March 2021 against Montserrat Conejo Ruiz. While Vlismas took the loss in that fight, she bounced back with consecutive wins in her next two Octagon appearances, cashing in with performance bonuses in both fights. In July 2021, Vlismas won a Performance of the Night bonus when she defeated Gloria de Paula via KO. The sequence was set up with a head kick and follow-up punch that caught fight fans' and the UFC brass' attention. The finish came after a grappling sequence. De Paula was on the bottom initially and Vlismas stood up. De Paula followed but did not protect herself as she rose to her feet, and Vlismas made her pay with a vicious head kick. Vlismas got the finish as she followed with ground and pound until the referee called an end to the fight. In case you missed it, here's a look at the fight. In her next fight, Vlismas earned a unanimous decision victory over Mallory Martin in December 2021. While Vlismas didn't get the finish, she and Martin did earn Fight of the Night honors and the bonus that goes with it. With tons of momentum professionally and on the heels of back-to-back bonuses, Vlismas hit a long period of inactivity. She was supposed to fight Tabatha Ricci in October 2022 but withdrew. Vlismas didn't fight again until December 2022. She took on Cory McKenna and fell via unanimous decision. As it turned out, the loss to McKenna was Vlismas' last fight as a professional. With two small children to care for, Vlismas steps away at an age and time when she might still be capable of being a factor in the UFC's women's strawweight division. The division is seemingly ready for a change, as Weili Zhang looks poised to make the jump to flyweight sometime soon. Could Vlismas become a contender? Perhaps, and based on the overall weakness of the division, it seems logical she could fight her way to an official ranking. As it is, Vlismas walks away focused on family.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cheyanne Vlismas Says Goodbye to UFC After 7-3 Career
Cheyanne Vlismas Says Goodbye to UFC After 7-3 Career originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Staying relevant in the UFC is a challenge few openly talk about. It's more than just wins and losses—it's about timing, consistency, and life outside the cage. For some, real life eventually calls louder than the roar of the Octagon. A veteran appears to be facing that very fork in the road. Advertisement Cheyanne Vlismas, also known as the 'Warrior Princess,' has officially announced her retirement from the UFC at just 29 years old. In an emotional Instagram post, Vlismas opened up about why she's stepping away from fighting: UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC 'This decision comes with a lot of heartbreak. But this is something that I need to do... After having my second child, my time is very limited. I am unable to give 100% into my training without giving less of myself to my babies... I'm choosing to be the parent I wish I always had.' Cheyanne VlismasGetty Images Vlismas retires with a professional record of 7-3, including a 3-2 stint in the UFC. After debuting in March 2021 with a loss to Montserrat Ruiz, she quickly rebounded with impressive wins over Gloria de Paula and Mallory Martin. Her last UFC appearance was a December 2022 decision loss to Cory McKenna. Her most memorable moment came after her 22-second TKO over de Paula. In a post-fight interview captured by MMA Junkie, she was visibly emotional and revealed: 'I am negative in my account right now… I've been so broke my whole life because of this sport.' Advertisement The performance earned her a $50,000 bonus from Dana White and the UFC—a high point in a career built on heart and grit. While she didn't fulfill every dream inside the cage, Vlismas leaves behind a legacy of resilience—and steps fully into the role she values most: mother. Related: UFC Signs Former PFL Heavyweight Champion in Strategic Roster Move Related: 'Everybody Would Hate Me' – UFC Fan Favorite Eyes WWE Run Amid Talks with Triple H This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
