Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco: PFL Super Fights Showdown

Mixed martial arts fans are set for a highly anticipated clash between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco in a champion-versus-champion bout. This women’s featherweight contest, scheduled for five rounds, is slated to take place on Saturday, October 19, at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight is the co-main event of the PFL: Battle of the Giants card, where the super fights women’s featherweight title belt will be on the line.

Cyborg, boasting a career record of 27 victories and just two defeats, is a prominent figure in women’s MMA, with multiple championships across different organizations, including the UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC. She is currently the reigning Bellator women’s champion at 145 pounds. Entering the fight on a seven-fight winning streak, Cyborg, aged 39, has not lost a bout since December 2018, when she suffered a knockout defeat at UFC 232.

Larissa Pacheco, aged 30, enters this matchup on the back of an impressive 10-fight winning streak. She is the current PFL women’s featherweight champion and has also earned a title in the lightweight division. Pacheco has gained attention following her victories over significant opponents, making her a formidable force in the octagon.

The event is part of the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) expansion into pay-per-view events, aiming to capture a larger audience with marquee matchups outside their traditional playoff format. The card headlines a heavyweight showdown featuring Francis Ngannou and reigning heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.

Cyborg’s encounter with Pacheco has drawn significant attention, primarily because Cyborg is unaccustomed to being an underdog. Analysts are giving Pacheco the slight edge on account of her recent performance streak, superb counter-striking capability, and championship success across multiple weight classes.

The expertise of Cyborg in striking is renowned, yet her approach in past bouts, notably against Amanda Nunes, demonstrated the vulnerabilities to counter-attacks. Analysts suggest Cyborg may need to bring her wrestling skills into play to gain control over Pacheco.

With both fighters equipped to handle the fight on the ground as well as standing, pundits anticipate a back-and-forth battle with moments of dominance from both athletes. The fight’s prediction leans towards Pacheco, given her momentum and recent form, but the outcome remains open, adding to the excitement building around this matchup.