Cris Cyborg to Face Larissa Pacheco in PFL, Not Kayla Harrison

Despite the anticipation of a showdown between Cris Cyborg and Kayla Harrison, PFL founder Donn Davis announced that Cyborg’s first PFL opponent will be 2023 women’s featherweight champion Larissa Pacheco, not Harrison. The news came after PFL’s recent acquisition of Bellator, setting the stage for a champion versus champion bout.

“It’s champ vs. champ,” said Davis. “Cris will fight Kayla in 2024. We think that Larissa has earned that.” This decision leaves Harrison without an opponent for her planned 2024 fights, though Davis assures she will face top-tier competition.

Meanwhile, Harrison, fresh off a victory over Aspen Ladd at the PFL World Championship, expressed her eagerness to compete against Cyborg but emphasized she won’t wait indefinitely. “I’m not going to wait,” Harrison stated. “I want to get in the cage and try to beat the s*** out of her. That’s it.”

The matchup between Cyborg and Pacheco promises to be a highlight in PFL’s calendar, setting the foundation for an eventual clash between Cyborg and Harrison. This development showcases the ever-evolving landscape of women’s MMA and the high-caliber matchups it continues to produce.

With a focus on top-tier competition, PFL’s decision sets a thrilling course for the women’s featherweight division, building anticipation for future matchups.