Cris Cyborg Husband: Her Former Marriage to Evangelista Santos and Current Partner Ray Elbe
Many fans searching for Cris Cyborg’s husband are often confused about her relationship history, especially since she was once married to fellow MMA fighter Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and later became engaged to coach and martial artist Ray Elbe, her current partner. Cris Cyborg, one of the most dominant female fighters in MMA history, has lived much of her professional career in the spotlight—yet her personal life, including marriage, partnerships, faith, and family, tells an equally compelling story. Understanding the difference between her former husband and her present partner gives a clearer picture of the woman behind the championship belts.
Who Is Cris Cyborg?
Born Cristiane Justino in Curitiba, Brazil, Cris Cyborg is widely regarded as one of the greatest women fighters ever to compete in mixed martial arts. She began her athletic journey in handball before transitioning to martial arts after being discovered by a local trainer. Her fierce competitiveness, striking power, and dedication to training quickly propelled her through Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA.
Cyborg achieved an unparalleled accomplishment — becoming a world champion in four major MMA promotions: Strikeforce, Invicta FC, the UFC, and Bellator. She has defeated some of the biggest names in the sport and built a legacy defined by fearlessness and relentless discipline. Despite her intimidating presence inside the cage, Cris is known in her everyday life as spiritual, generous, family-centered, and deeply loyal to the people she trusts.
These qualities help explain both her former marriage and her long-term relationship with her current partner.
Her Former Husband: Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos
Cris Cyborg’s first and only legal husband was Brazilian MMA fighter Evangelista Santos, known to fans as “Cyborg” Santos. The couple married in 2005, long before Cris rose to international stardom. At the time, they were two young fighters navigating the early stages of their careers, training together, and sharing a deep passion for martial arts.
Evangelista Santos, a respected competitor in PRIDE, Strikeforce, Bellator, and other organizations, had a hard-hitting, aggressive fighting style. The two shared not only a last name but also a public nickname—Cyborg. Cris continued to use the name professionally even after their divorce because it had already become an essential part of her public identity.
Their Divorce
Cris and Evangelista Santos divorced in 2011. Their separation was respectful and largely private, with neither party speaking negatively about the other. By the time of the split, both had grown into different phases of their personal and professional lives.
Evangelista later experienced a career-ending skull injury in 2016, and Cris supported him during his recovery, demonstrating the compassion that has always defined her off-camera personality.
Despite being her ex-husband, Evangelista remains a meaningful part of her past, and fans often mistakenly assume they are still married. However, after 2011, Cris Cyborg moved forward toward a new chapter—one that eventually led her to Ray Elbe.
Her Current Partner: Ray Elbe
Though not legally her husband, Ray Elbe is widely recognized as Cris Cyborg’s current partner, fiancé, coach, and emotional anchor. Their relationship has lasted many years and has become central to Cris’s professional life and personal growth. For SEO and fan familiarity, people often search “Cris Cyborg husband” referring to Ray Elbe, even though their marital status has not been publicly confirmed through official documents.
Who Is Ray Elbe?
Ray Elbe is an American mixed martial artist, coach, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. He has competed internationally and spent years teaching at world-renowned gyms in Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S. His background in Muay Thai and grappling made him an ideal training partner and coach for Cyborg.
Elbe is known for his calm, analytical approach to fighting—a perfect complement to Cris’s explosive athletic style. Over time, their professional relationship evolved into something deeper, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared faith.
How Cris Cyborg and Ray Elbe Met
Cris and Ray first connected through the global mixed martial arts community. Both traveled extensively, trained at numerous gyms, and supported the evolution of combat sports worldwide. Their shared passion for martial arts brought them together, but their shared values—faith, discipline, loyalty—kept them together.
Training side by side and building a life centered on fitness, self-improvement, and spirituality, the couple developed a bond that transcended their athletic partnership. Ray eventually proposed to Cris in 2017, and she announced their engagement on social media with joy and excitement.
Their Life Together Today
Cris Cyborg and Ray Elbe have built a life grounded in faith, family, and community involvement. They often share moments of training together, traveling, attending church, and serving in charity efforts. Ray plays a vital role in Cris’s fight camps, helping with strategy, conditioning, grappling, and overall preparation.
Their relationship balances intensity and softness—Cris brings passion and power, while Ray brings calmness and stability. Together, they are a rare example of a couple thriving in the high-pressure world of professional fighting.
Although they have not held a public wedding ceremony in recent years, Cris frequently refers to Ray as her life partner, and he remains the person closest to her outside of her immediate family.
