Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)

■ Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino defeats Holly Holm at UFC 219, keeps featherwei­ght title.

- By Adam Hill

UFC women’s featherwei­ght champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino was put to the test by former bantamweig­ht champion Holly Holm in the main event of UFC 219 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

She passed with flying colors. Justino stood up to the challenge, answering one of the biggest questions that has faced her by proving

her conditioni­ng could hold up over five rounds.

She retained the belt with a unanimous decision, winning 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47.

The Review-Journal also scored the bout 48-47 for Justino.

It was the first time Justino, who extended her winning streak to 19, had been taken the distance in a fight since 2008.

“Thank you to Holly Holm,” Justino said. “She is an amazing fighter and I had a great time fighting her tonight.”

Justino showed a cerebral side to her game to go along with her trademark aggression and power.

Holm, a former world champion boxer, is typically most dangerous as a counterstr­iker. Justino stayed patient for most of the fight and picked her spots well to attack.

She had Holm’s left eye almost completely shut early in the fight and took advantage by throwing her right hand often.

Holm appeared to be trying to wear down Justino by clinching against the cage on several occasions, but Justino was up to the challenge.

▶ More coverage, Page 11C

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