Cindy Dandois

Cindy Dandois (born 26 October 1984) is a Belgian female mixed martial artist. She formerly competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions in Invicta and the Ultimate Fighting Championship and also the Lightweight division in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She began her judo training at the age of 5 under the training of Johan Laats, and freestyle wrestling at age 8 under Joseph Mewis. Dandois later transitioned into mixed martial arts and trains at Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts while she is in the United States.

Personal life Dandois is a high school teacher. She has six children: Naomi, Eleftherios, Lola Katerina, Nafisatu, Denahi and Sara-Mae.

During her time in Strikeforce she was scheduled to fight Miesha Tate, but the bout never materialized. This brought the two together, and they have been friends ever since. Tate later invited Dandois to the United States, to assist in her in training for her second fight against Ronda Rousey.

Mixed martial arts career Early career In January 2009, Cindy Dandois made her professional MMA debut, defeating Marloes Coenen. Over the next several years Dandois defeated champion kickboxer Jorina Baars, and took on other fighters under the M-1 banner. Dandois was going to fight Gina Carano after the latter had lost to Cris Cyborg, but had to withdraw due to getting pregnant.

Invicta FC After three years of inactivity due to pregnancy Dandois became active again, and signed with Invicta Fighting Championships.

In her promotional debut with Invicta FC in December 2014, Dandois faced Tonya Evinger at Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio. She lost the fight by armbar submission.

Dandois' next opponent was Megan Anderson, who she defeated by triangle choke submission at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad.

Dandois then submitted Jessamyn Duke via armbar submission at Invicta FC 18: Grasso vs. Esquibel.

Dandois was later scheduled to face Cris Cyborg at a 140-pound catchweight, but the fight was cancelled. Daria Ibragimova was given the headliner fight instead, as a 145 title shot against Cyborg.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In February 2017, it was announced that Dandois had signed with the UFC. In her debut, Dandois fought Alexis Davis at UFC Fight Night 108. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Dandois later announced on her Instagram that she had been released from the UFC.

Rizin Fighting Federation Dandois then signed with the Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. She made her debut against Reina Miura at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round on 29 December 2017. She won the fight by split decision.

Bellator MMA Dandois faced Olga Rubin on 15 November 2018 at Bellator 209 She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League In March 2020, Dandois signed with Professional Fighters League. Dandois made her debut against Kaitlin Young at PFL 3 on 6 May 2021. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Dandois faced Kayla Harrison on 25 June 2021 at PFL 6. She lost the bout in the first round via an arm bar submission.

Controversies Battery incident by Mustapha Brika In November 2019, Dandois accused her then boyfriend Mustapha Brika, who is also a MMA fighter, of assaulting her and breaking her nose. Brika denied the assault and stated the injury was caused by Dandois herself. In December 2020 a Belgian court sentenced Brika to 50 hours of community service.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Eleytheria Mitroy Submission (armbar) Cage Survivor 16

Athens, Greece Loss

Kayla Harrison Submission (armbar) PFL 6 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Kaitlin Young Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Eleni Mytilinaki Submission (armbar) Cage Survivor 14

Athens, Greece Win

Bethany Christensen Submission (triangle choke) ExciteFight: Conquest of the Cage

Spokane, Washington, United States Win

Elsira Sheree Amstelveen Submission (triangle choke) Enfusion MMA 90

Antwerp, Belgium Win

Gemma Pike Submission (rear-naked choke) Staredown FC 14

Antwerp, Belgium Loss

Iony Razafiarison Decision (split) European Beatdown 5

La Louvière, Belgium Loss

Olga Rubin Decision (unanimous) Bellator 209

Tel Aviv, Israel Win

Irén Rácz TKO (punches) Staredown FC 12

Deurne, Belgium Win

Hatice Ozyurt Submission (triangle choke) Steenwijk Martial Arts Gala: Battle Under the Tower 2018

Steenwijk, Netherlands Win

Reina Miura Decision (split) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round

Saitama, Japan Win

Kerry Hughes TKO (punches) Cage Warriors 89

Antwerp, Belgium Loss

Alexis Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Anjela Pink TKO (submission to punches) Conquest of the Cage 24

Airway Heights, Washington, United States Win

Jessamyn Duke Submission (scarf hold armlock) Invicta FC 18: Grasso vs. Esquibel

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Megan Anderson Submission (triangle choke) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss

Tonya Evinger Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Jorina Baars TKO (punches) Staredown FC

Antwerp, Belgium Loss

Yana Kunitskaya TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 22

Moscow, Russia Win

Sheila Gaff DQ (illegal knee to the head) M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 3

Helsinki, Finland Win

Daria Ibragimova Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 2

Weesp, Netherlands Win

Maria Hougaard Djursaa TKO (punches) M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 1

Hilversum, Netherlands Win

Marloes Coenen Decision (unanimous) Beast of the East

Zutphen, Netherlands