Former Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion Larissa Pacheco is disappointed with her now-former employer.
Last week, the two-division PFL champion — and the only fighter to defeat Kayla Harrison — was abruptly released from the promotion without explanation. Now, she’s speaking out … as much as she can, for now.
“I was training, I was already in camp,” Pacheco said in an Instagram video, translated by MMA Fighting. “I had to end the camp because they canceled the fight that was booked. Anyway,
I have the contract, and I have many things you’ll soon know. You’ll know my next step soon, but for now, I’m working and doing my part. I know it’s in God’s hands, and soon we’ll have something booked, OK?”
“There is a lot of news out there,” Pacheco continued. “Some things I can say, others I can’t yet. But I saw one thing I can share, which is about my PFL release. I’m not the one in the wrong. I’ve done my part and delivered fights. They released me for reasons that I’ll talk about soon — and it’s not my fault. I’ve done my part, and you have to know that. I’m free — for now.”
Pacheco (23-5) was a powerhouse staple for PFL, going 12-3 inside the promotion and losing only to Harrison and Cris Cyborg — the latter in her most recent fight (watch highlights).
While she dropped two bouts to Harrison, the Brazilian got the last laugh in 2022, defeating her in their trilogy to claim the PFL Women’s Lightweight championship.
Pacheco went on to win back-to-back PFL tournaments at Lightweight and Featherweight and boasts an 83 percent finish rate, with 11 knockouts and eight submissions.
At just 31 years old, a return to UFC could be on the table if she can drop back down to Bantamweight — or perhaps a big-money move to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Either way, her next step will be one to watch.
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