Cris Cyborg shows up to UFC 240 in Edmonton wearing Gretzky jersey

When it comes to legendary names in mixed martial arts, Cris Cyborg has to be in the conversation.

The 34-year-old Brazilian knows a thing or two about success at the pinnacle of her sport. (And punching people in the face and stuff of that sort.) Therefore, the clothing choice that the former UFC women’s featherweight champion went with while entering Rogers Place in Edmonton ahead of UFC 240 made total sense.

Now, is wearing the jersey of the greatest human to ever strap on skates within the walls that the Oilers call home an excellent example of pandering to an audience?

Definitely.

Am I going to be the one to tell that to her face ahead of a co-main event against the undefeated Felicia Spencer?

Hell no!

In fairness, Cyborg may just be trying to summon some ‘greatness’ from the threads that Gretzky wore for all four of the Stanley Cups that he won during his sensational NHL career. Saturday night’s bout will be her first since losing the women’s featherweight belt after Amanda Nunes knocked her out 51 seconds into their title fight at UFC 232 near the end of 2018.

The defeat was the first of Cyborg’s UFC career.

If the decision to wear a hockey jersey ahead of this fight ends up working out, the next one she needs to sport is definitely that of Brazilian hockey legend Robyn Regehr. Personally, I’m thinking one of those glorious alternate jerseys from the 2000’s with the flaming horse logo.

Sure, the stay-at-home blueliner represented Canada internationally, including at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but he was born in Recife.

Google it.

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