PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants: Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco: Full video highlights
Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco took place at PFL: Battle of the Giants at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today. The long-awaited champion vs. champion clash served as the co-main event and was contested for the PFL women's featherweight Super Fights championship.
Both women are two of the top female fighters in the sport and have impressive resumes. The PFL ushered into a new era with the launch of their Super Fights pay-per-view division, allowing them to host big cards that don't take away from their global regular season tournaments or the Bellator Champions Series events.
Meanwhile, Cyborg is considered by many as one of the greatest of all time and is currently the reigning Bellator women's featherweight champion, which she won in her promotional debut. She has been eagerly awaiting to return to the cage after her most recent win last October but has remained active as she competed in boxing bouts during the layoff.
Pacheco, on the other hand, came into the bout looking to add another PFL championship to her collection. She began to hit her stride in the sports in 2021 as she has won 10 consecutive bouts including unanimous decision wins over the likes of Kayla Harrison and Julia Budd.
Check out the faceoff for Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco below:
The women's featherweight clash lived up to the hype as both women went after it as soon as the opening bell sounded. Cyborg found an opening and secured a well-timed takedown.
The Bellator women's featherweight champion landed the best shot of the first round as she connected with a powerful head kick, however, the PFL champion continued pushing forward and opened up a nasty cut on Cyborg's right eye. She was resilient and gained confidence from causing the damage and attempted a guillotine that the Bellator star escaped.
Cyborg then showcased the strikes in her arsenal as she caught the PFL star with a back-fist, but Pacheco responded by dropping the Bellator champion and controlling her on the ground.
They went the distance as Cyborg earned a unanimous decision to become the PFL women's featherweight Super Fights champion.
Check out highlights from Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco below:
Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco aftermath
Cris Cyborg added another incredible feat to her Hall of Fame legacy as she won her fifth major championship.
Cyborg wasted little time in setting the stage for his next bout on her legacy tour as she expressed interest in returning to the cage in February when the PFL is expected to host the Bellator Champions Series in Dubai.
Check out the judges' decision for Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco below: