Larissa Pacheco showcased her incredible skills and dominance in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) women’s featherweight playoff semifinal against Olena Kolesnyk. With a lightning-fast knockout, Pacheco punched her way to victory in just 14 seconds. This win puts Pacheco one step closer to becoming the first-ever two-division PFL champion.
Pacheco, who previously won the 2022 PFL championship at lightweight, has been on an impressive winning streak. Since her defeat in the 2019 lightweight final against two-season champ Kayla Harrison, Pacheco has won nine consecutive fights. Seven of these victories have come by way of first-round knockout, including all three encounters with Kolesnyk. Pacheco’s most notable win was an upset against Harrison in last year’s 155-pound final.
Speaking after her victory, Pacheco expressed her confidence and work ethic. The 28-year-old Brazilian fighter attributed her success to her dedication and determination. Pacheco emphasized that she doesn’t wait around for opportunities but instead actively pursues them. Her belief in her abilities was evident in her performance against Kolesnyk.
Pacheco acknowledged that her quick knockout wins have limited her opportunity to display her growth and evolution as a fighter. She shared her desire for longer fights, allowing her to demonstrate her full range of skills. Nevertheless, Pacheco remains unstoppable once her hands connect, as her opponents inevitably crumble.
As the top seed, Larissa Pacheco will vie for her second consecutive season championship on November 24th. Standing in her way is the second-seeded Marina Mokhnatkina. The Russian fighter and six-time world sambo world champion secured her spot in the final with a swift finish of Amber Leibrock. Mokhnatkina boasts a 5-1 record in the PFL, with her only loss coming against Kayla Harrison last year.
In the heavyweight semifinals, Denis Goltsov and Renan Ferreira also secured their spots in the championship fight with swift and decisive wins. Goltsov, the top seed, executed a takedown against Jordan Heiderman early in the fight, bloodying him with a relentless ground-and-pound assault. Goltsov eventually submitted Heiderman with an arm triangle choke. This marks Goltsov’s first appearance in the PFL final after four seasons in the playoffs.
Ferreira, the second seed, showcased his power with a straight right hand that dropped Maurice Greene in the final minute of the first round. The referee called a stop to the fight at the 4:46 mark, awarding Ferreira the TKO victory. Greene, who entered the bracket as the fifth seed due to Marcelo Nunes’ injury, was unable to withstand Ferreira’s devastating punch.
With the stage set for the PFL championships, fans eagerly anticipate the battles that lie ahead. Larissa Pacheco and Marina Mokhnatkina will face off in a highly anticipated clash for the women’s featherweight title, while Denis Goltsov and Renan Ferreira will fight for heavyweight supremacy. As these fighters continue to showcase their skills and determination, a new chapter in the PFL’s history is about to be written.
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