Who Is Cris Cyborg Married To? Kids, Husband and More About the Ex-UFC Champ

Cristiane Justino Venancio, or Cris Cyborg’s name is firmly etched in the history books as one of the most dominant female mixed martial artists of all time. Born on July 9, 1985, in Curitiba, Brazil she’s held titles in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, Bellator, and the UFC! Known for her incredible knockout power, ‘Cyborg’ is considered a pioneer of the sport as her fight against Gina Carano in Strikeforce in 2009 was the first time two women were the headliners for a major MMA card.

In her entire 30-fight MMA career, she’s only lost 2 fights. The first in her professional debut against Erica Paes in 2005 and the second time against Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 in 2018. But apart from her incredible legacy in combat sports, the fans have also been curious to know more about ‘Cyborg’s life outside the cage. So, let’s take a look and explore more about the Brazilian legend’s personal life, her family, and more.

Meet Ray Elbe, Cris Cyborg’s fiancé

Cris Cyborg is currently engaged to Ray Elbe, a retired mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Their engagement, announced in December 2017, marked a new chapter in Cyborg’s life. Elbe isn’t just her fiancé—he’s also her coach and pillar of support. Together, they have built a life in Huntington Beach, California, where they train, live, and raise their family.

But who exactly is Ray Elbe? According to Tapology, ‘The Magical’ Elbe holds a professional MMA record of 23-11. He’s competed under banners like King of the Cage and Rage in the Cage but had his last fight in 2010. The reason behind his decision to retire? The toll of injuries that all combat sports athletes face in their careers in a sport that is brutal on the body.

While Cris Cyborg commands the spotlight in the world of MMA, Elbe quietly supports her from the corner. A seasoned fighter, he brings experience to Cyborg’s camp, and his knowledge has been invaluable to her career.

Outside of the gym, Elbe puts his degree in elementary education to good use by helping raise their daughter and in an interview with The Orange County Register, Elbe had stated, “It’s been a great addition. You have a kid you have to take care of at your house, so it’s just put a little more perspective on the decisions you make.”

Cris Cyborg’s ex-husband, Evangelista Santos

Before Ray Elbe entered her life, Cris Cyborg was married to Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, another veteran of the MMA world. Their relationship, much like their careers, was full of intensity and mutual respect. They married in 2005, and during that time, Cris adopted the nickname ‘Cyborg’ from her husband, which she still uses today.

The reason? In a past interview with Sherdog.com, the Brazilian star had explained, “I have literally adopted that name from my husband. It’s like a last name for me now. I don’t even think about (the definition).”

Santos competed in MMA from 1997 to 2016, and in his extensive career, he fought for organizations like Strikeforce, Bellator, PRIDE FC, and Cage Rage, just to name a few. Despite their split in 2011, Santos and Cris have remained on good terms. In fact, in 2016, Santos suffered a brutal knockout loss against Michael ‘Venom’ Page that left him with a frontal sinus fracture, and Cris stepped up to start a GoFundMe to raise funds for his medical treatment and surgery.

Following the injury and a long recovery period, Santos announced his retirement from competition in 2017 and has since began coaching in his own gym located in Texas. And while Cris’s nickname may have originated from her ex-husband, she has definitively made it her own!

How many children does Cris Cyborg have?

Perhaps one of the lesser-known aspects of Cris Cyborg’s life is her role as a mother. Although she hasn’t had biological children, she adopted her niece Gabriela, who now lives with her and Ray Elbe. Her niece was initially being raised by Cyborg’s mother in Brazil but the former UFC champion had made a promise to bring her to America one day.

In 2018, the promise came true as Gabriela joined Cyborg in America, and in an interview with The Orange County Register, she stated, “I always have her like a daughter in my life. Now living with her is so special, After my training, I go home. Before, just eat and go to sleep. Now, I go in her room, we read together, she tells me how’s her work in school. It’s different, but it’s nice.”

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Moving Gabriela from Brazil to the United States required adjustments. Cyborg and Elbe enrolled her in school to help with her transition, and the results have been remarkable. The couple’s teamwork in raising Gabriela is also evident. Elbe, with his background in education, has played a key role in helping Gabriela navigate her new life.

As such, Cyborg further stated, “We never have problems. My fiance is really cool. Never have problems. She respects him and is respectful to me. He has a lot of patience teaching her, teaching English and going to school, talking with the teachers”

From the roaring arenas to quiet moments at home, Cris Cyborg continues to inspire with her unwavering determination, both as a fighter and as a mother. Now, she’s set to take on Larissa Pacheco at the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants event on October 19, and the fans are along for the ride as they watch a legend live out her story both in and out of the spotlight!