PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants: Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco: Live round-by-round updates
Cris Cyborg is scheduled to take on Larissa Pacheco in an all-Brazilian matchup that likely won't need the scorecards.
In late 2023, PFL announced they had acquired Bellator to grow their presence in the MMA world. Since then, Cyborg, a pioneer in women's MMA, has pleaded with promotional officials for a fight to avoid inactivity.
Cyborg's last MMA fight was a first-round knockout win against Cat Zingano in October 2023. The Bellator women's featherweight champion returned to boxing for two more wins before receiving an opportunity to make her PFL debut.
On Saturday, Oct.19, Cyborg will be featured in the co-main event of "PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants," headlined by Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira. Cyborg's upcoming opponent, Pacheco, has several similar traits, as she's a Brazilian finishing machine who's captured several world titles.
Pacheco last fought in November 2023 when she defeated Marina Mokhnatkina for her second PFL women's tournament title. The 30-year-old holds a win over Kayla Harrison and now looks to strengthen her resume by taking out the legendary Cyborg.
It should be noted that the Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira pay-per-view main card, including Cyborg vs. Pacheco, will start on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. ET.
Follow along with Sportskeeda for live updates of Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco battling for the PFL women's featherweight super fights title.
Watch Cyborg and Pacheco face off before fighting in Saudi Arabia below:
Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco
Round 1: Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco is underway. The fighters touch gloves to start the fight. Cyborg opens with a stiff jab. Cyborg goes down to the body with a straight punch. Pacheco attempted to inch forward with pressure.
Cyborg made her pay by grabbing a hold of Pacheco and pushing her against the cage. Cyborg lands a big punch off the break. Cyborg secures a massive slam takedown. Cyborg is in position for a von flue choke.
Cyborg goes away from the submission and applies pressure in side control. Pacheco gets back to her feet and eats a head kick. Cyborg is bleeding from the nose. Cyborg pushes Pacheco against the cage. Cyborg is landing sneaky knees and elbows in the clinch.
Cyborg finds the target with a left hand on the break. Pacheco misses a big punch and Cyborg goes for another big takedown. Pacheco locks in a guillotine off the takedown. Cyborg is staying calm and letting Pacheco blow her arms out.
Cyborg's head pops out as she solidifies the half-guard position. Cyborg postures up and unloads ground and pound. Pacheco is attempting to punch from the bottom. Cyborg stands up and hovers over Pacheco before the referee forces Pacheco to get back to her feet.
Round 2: The second round of Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco is underway. Cyborg has two solid cuts above her eyes. The fighters exchange big punches that both barely miss. Pacheco is moving forward with heavy pressure. Cyborg is trying to push her back with power punches.
Pacheco lands a flush right hand. Cyborg is committing to the leg kicks, dropping Pacheco in the process. Cyborg attempts to secure a takedown and settles for a clinch position against the cage.
Cris Cyborg finds the target with a backfist off the break. Larissa Pacheco continues charging forward as she sets up a power punch. Cyborg counters Pacheco's punch with a takedown, sliding right into side control.
Cyborg attempts to land some light ground and pound. Pacheco is struggling to get back to her feet with one and a half minutes left. Cyborg stands up and lands heavy leg kicks while Pacheco remains on the ground. The referee stands Pacheco up. The second round ends with a strong right hand from Pacheco.
Round 3: The third round of Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco is underway. The cut over Cyborg's right eye is becoming a massive problem. Cyborg's cut over the left eye also doesn't look good. The doctor doesn't take a look yet.
Cyborg opens with another strong leg kick. Pacheco returns the favor. Cyborg lands a one-two combination of looping punches. Cyborg backs up and Pacheco stands across the cage begging Cyborg to come forward. There was an awkward moment where they didn't engage as they stood several feet away.
Pacheco slightly lands a right hand. Cyborg almost sneaks in a short right hook. Cyborg continues committing to the leg kicks. Pacheco is taking her time and establishing her range. Pacheco lands a straight right hand, catches Cyborg's leg, and throws her to the ground.
Larissa Pacheco secures top control with two minutes left. Pacheco is trying to land short elbows to potentially open Cris Cyborg's cuts more. Cyborg receives a warning for grabbing the cage on the bottom. Pacheco is firing off body punches from the top position. The round ends with Pacheco in a dominant position.
Round 4: The fourth round of Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco is underway. Cyborg goes back to kicks with two to Pacheco's lead leg. Pacheco lands a huge calf kick that could cause problems for Cyborg.
Cyborg counters Pacheco's front kick with a right hand. Cyborg temporarily loses her balance due to a leg kick from Pacheco. Both fighters have slowed down. Pacheco lands a counter right hand. One of Cyborg's cuts is oozing with Vaseline, while the other is slightly bleeding.
Pacheco lands another big right hand. Pacheco goes back to the calf kick. Cyborg is trying to build some momentum with her leg kicks. Cyborg lands a looping overhand right and finds the target. Pacheco looked stunned for a moment before quickly recovering.
Cyborg throws a head kick and Pacheco counters with another right hand. One minute left in the round. Cyborg finds the target with a left hook. Cyborg attempts to explode forward with an overhand punch. They exchange punches and Pacheco ends the round with a head kick that almost changed everything.
Round 5: The fifth round of Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco is underway. Cyborg opens with a jab. Pacheco commits to a brutal leg kick. Both fighters barely miss an overhand punch that could've ended the fight either way.
Cyborg tries to land another massive overhand right that doesn't fire the target. Pacheco lands a straight right. Cyborg counters the position and explodes to the ground. Cyborg inflicts some ground and pound before they return to their feet.
Two minutes left. Cyborg fires off another unsuccessful overhand right. Pacheco is moving forward but not throwing many punches. Cyborg barely lands a looping overhand right. One minute left. Pacheco temporarily backs off. Cyborg explodes forward and takes down Pacheco.
Larissa Pacheco reverses the position before Cris Cyborg stands up. Cyborg hovers over Pacheco before the referee stands up the latter. They exchange massive punches to end the fight. We're going to the scorecards.
Official Result: Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco by unanimous decision (49-46 x3) for the PFL women's featherweight super fights title