Larissa Pacheco

Larissa Moreira Pacheco (born September 7, 1994) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the women’s Featherweight division. She previously fought in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she won the 2022 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship and 2023 PFL Women's Featherweight Championship.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

At the age of 15, Larissa found her love of martial arts when she began Muay Thai. Larissa began training on a daily basis, and a year later, she had her first amateur fight. Fighting 3 more times in 2012, in 2013, she fought 5 times, with Larissa entering Jungle Fight, and winning the Jungle Fight Women's Bantamweight Championship against Irene Aldana at Jungle Fight 63 .

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Pacheco made her UFC debut as an injury replacement for Valérie Létourneau, against Jéssica Andrade on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski. She lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Pacheco next faced future UFC Women's Featherweight Championship Germaine de Randamie at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015. She lost the fight via TKO in the second round, not before breaking her arm from a side kick from Germaine.

After suffering the broken arm, Larissa had to undergo a long recovery from the long-term damage and had to undergo 2 surgeries. She spent the next 3 years rehabilitating her arm, relocating to Rio de Janeiro where she taught Jiu Jitsu whilst planning her return to the MMA. During this time, Larissa was involved with Erica Paes social project that taught women self-defence and starred in popular Brazilian TV show A Força do Querer opposite famous actress Paolla Oliveira.

Pacheco was the sixth pick of the featherweight fighters by coach Robert Whittaker. In the quarter-finals, she faced Macy Chiasson. She lost the fight via a technical knockout in round one.

Professional Fighters League

2019 season Pacheco made her PFL debut against Kayla Harrison on May 9, 2019 at PFL 1. Pacheco lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Pacheco next faced Bobbi Jo Dalziel at PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. She won the bout via first round armbar.

Making it to the semifinals, Pacheco faced UFC vet Sarah Kaufman at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pacheco rematched with Kayla Harrison in the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. After being dominating every round by Kayla's superior grappling, Pacheco lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2021 season Pacheco made her return to PFL against Julija Pajić at PFL 3 on May 6, 2021. She won the bout via TKO less than a minute into the bout after dropping Pajić in the first exchange.

Pacheco faced Olena Kolesnyk on June 25, 2021 at PFL 6. She won the bout via knockout in the first round.

Pacheco was scheduled to face Taylor Guardado in the Semifinals off the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 19, 2021 at PFL 8. At weigh-ins, she came in 2 pounds over the limit and was therefore removed from the tournament.

2022 season Pacheco faced Zamzagul Fayzallanova on May 6, 2022 at PFL 3. She won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Pacheco faced Genah Fabian on July 1, 2022 at PFL 6. She won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Pacheco faced Olena Kolesnyk in the Semifinals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 20, 2022 at PFL 9. She won the bout via first round TKO stoppage.

Pacheco faced Kayla Harrison for a third time in the finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on November 25, 2022 at PFL 10. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

2023 season Pacheco started the 2023 season against Julia Budd on April 7, 2023 at PFL 2. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pacheco faced Amber Leibrock on June 16, 2023 at PFL 5. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In the semi-finals, Pacheco faced Olena Kolesnyk for the third time on August 18, 2023 at PFL 8. At weigh-ins, Kolesnyk weighed in at 147.8 pounds, 1.8 pounds over the Featherweight limit. She was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to Pacheco, and she started the bout with a one point subtraction. Pacheco won the fight via TKO in the first few seconds of the first round.

In the final, Pacheco faced Marina Mokhnatkina on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10. She won the fight via unanimous decision to become the first two-division PFL champion in history.

2024 Pacheco faced reigning Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg on October 19, 2024 at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants for the inaugural PFL Women's Featherweight Superfight Championship. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On October 23, 2025, PFL announced that they were releasing her from her contract.

Championships and accomplishments Professional Fighters League 2022 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship 2023 PFL Women's Featherweight Championship Jungle Fight Jungle Fight Women's Bantamweight Championship (One time) Sherdog 2022 Upset of the Year MMA Junkie 2022 Upset of the Year Cageside Press 2022 Upset of the Year MMA Fighting 2022 First Team MMA All-Star 2023 Second Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Cris Cyborg Decision (unanimous) PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Marina Mokhnatkina Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Olena Kolesnyk TKO (punches) PFL 8 (2023)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Amber Leibrock TKO (punches) PFL 5 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Julia Budd Decision (unanimous) PFL 2 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kayla Harrison Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2022)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Olena Kolesnyk TKO (punches) PFL 9 (2022)

London, England Win

Genah Fabian TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Zamzagul Fayzallanova TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2022)

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Olena Kolesnyk KO (punch) PFL 6 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Julija Pajić TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Kayla Harrison Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2019)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Sarah Kaufman Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2019)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bobbi Jo Dalziel Submission (armbar) PFL 4 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Kayla Harrison Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Karol Rosa Submission (guillotine choke) Watch Out Combat Show 49

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Germaine de Randamie TKO (punches) UFC 185

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Jéssica Andrade Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski

Brasília, Brazil Win

Lizianne Silveira Submission (triangle choke) Jungle Fight 68

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Irene Aldana TKO (punches) Jungle Fight 63

Belém, Brazil Win

Dinha Wollstaein TKO (punches) Jungle Fight 59

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Monique Bastos Submission (keylock) Extreme Kombat 7

Jacundá, Brazil Win

Marcia Silva Submission (guillotine choke) Gladiador Fight 3

Augusto Corrêa, Brazil Win

Edileusa Correa Submission (triangle choke) Marituba Total Combat 1

Marituba, Brazil Win

Thais Santana TKO (retirement) Ultimate Fight Imperatriz 3

Imperatriz, Brazil Win

Laura Goncalves Pacheco Submission (anaconda choke) Adrenalina Fight

Ananindeua, Brazil Win

Alenice Correa Costa TKO (punches) Ultimate Fight Tracuateua

Tracuateua, Brazil Win

Raquel Pitbull Submission (armbar) Marituba Fight

Marituba, Brazil Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Macy Chiasson TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters (airdate)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Karate Combat record Win

Julia Stasiuk KO (punches and elbow) Karate Combat 61 2026-05-02

Miami, Florida, USA