The world found out that Larissa Pacheco is a true champion at PFL Championship this weekend.
Pacheco finally got the better of Kayla Harrison, claiming the lightweight season title with a decision victory. The two ladies held down the main event of the first-ever PFL pay-per-view from Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
And, much like it was for Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey before her, this would – and will forever – be the one shining moment for Pacheco regardless of what happens next.
Win, lose or draw, she will forever be the first fighter to defeat Harrison inside the cage. And nobody can take that away from her.
The 28-year-old Pacheco is now one of the faces of the PFL, right alongside Harrison, Brendan Loughnane, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Aspen Ladd to name a few. Ladd, in fact, just might be a future opponent after she topped Julia Budd in one of the featured main card bouts.
But this night was all about Pacheco. Even though it was supposed to be about Harrison.
Twice before – both in 2019 – Harrison derailed Pacheco by decision, taking the better of the eight rounds fought between the two. However, Pacheco learned from those meetings. She gained valuable insight, as did her coaches, and they figured out a plan of attack.
And they attacked.
And kept attacking until it was Pacheco declared the winner.
Pacheco now stands 19-4 overall and having held the Jungle Fight title, the Watch Out Combat Show belt and now, the biggest prize in her career, the PFL lightweight championship.