Two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco is officially off the Professional Fighters League roster, and she isn’t hiding her frustration over how things ended.
Over the weekend, Pacheco shared a video on her Instagram stories addressing her unexpected release. According to her, she had already signed a bout agreement and was deep in training camp for a fight that was yet to be announced. Unfortunately, the PFL decided to cancel the bout and cut her from the roster altogether.
“I was training, I was already in camp,” Larissa Pacheco said. “I had to end the camp because they cancelled the fight that was booked. Anyway, I have the contract, 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.”
Pacheco’s release comes as a shock, especially considering her track record. She’s a two-division PFL champion, capturing titles at lightweight and featherweight, and even holds a win over future UFC champion Kayla Harrison. Her last fight was a competitive decision loss to Cris Cyborg in October 2024.
When asked about her PFL exit, Larissa Pacheco didn’t reveal much but hinted that the situation wasn’t entirely fair.
“There are many news out there,” she said. “Some things I can say, others I can’t say 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, for now.”
Before her dominant run in the PFL, Pacheco fought twice in the UFC between 2014 and 2015, competing as a bantamweight against Jessica Andrade and Germaine de Randamie. Since moving up in weight, she has gone on an impressive streak, winning 13 of her last 16 fights, including victories over Karol Rosa, Sarah Kaufman, and Julia Budd.
Now a free agent, Larissa Pacheco seems ready to take the next big step in her career. Whether that leads her back to the UFC, Bellator, or another promotion, one thing is clear, she’s not done fighting yet.
