PFL 2023 Playoffs Media Day: New York City
There comes a time in every athletes career where things seem to just click. They often at first wonder aloud, why couldn’t this have happened sooner? But that’s just the human gut reaction. As NHL Hall Of Famer Mark Messier used to say, to win, you must first lose. Starting off as a hot prospect Larissa Pacheco headed to the UFC where things went sideways for her. But since 2014. Larissa Pacheco has grown with great strides.
The still just 28-year old Brazilian knows exactly what it was that catapulted her onto this track she now rides. During Media Day she mentioned that falling in love and marrying her wife “Annie” was key. And what put things over the top was once she was given the financial resources she needed, things fell into place. That coming in a check for a million dollars after beating Kayla Harrison finally. And thanks to playing a PS5 she’s more relaxed.
“I’m still the same person. But, the money has created comfort in my life, where I was able to buy a car and an apartment. I don’t have to worry about bills. My wife and I are comfortable”.
Annie is such an important part of her being she tattooed her name outside her left pinkie. And she calls that piece the one she treasures most. In what some might call wrongly harming oneself the heavily inked fighter did something extreme. In August of 2021 she was supposed to fight TAYLOR GUARDADO in the playoff semifinals. For the first-time in her career she missed weight (by two-pounds). So angry, and pained being removed from the tournament, by this she wanted to as she puts it “feel real pain, and remember that moment forever”, she got a serious neck tattoo.
Here’s just a clip:
Larissa Pacheco Has Grown Into A Force In Women’s MMA
She now is nears becoming a two-division champion. And at featherweight, she feels stronger and faster. Where she capped off a trilogy with Harrison winning the lightweight strap, she begins the quest for the 145 one in another trilogy. This time with Olena Kolesnyk. Things aren’t at disrespectful level yet, but they aren’t exactly singing kumbaya together either.
In the opposite bracket for what would be the finals is yet again another well known foe; Amber Leibrock whom she punched a hole through in 45-seconds. She is smaller in body frame than other female bangers (and fellow Brazilians) Cristiane Justino and Amanda Nunes despite all three being 5’8″. Providing Leibrock gets past the new MISSES SERGEY SPIVAK, Marina Mokhnatkina. Who then finds himself traveling to Paris to fight CIRYL GANE next month after cornering his bride.
However, out of the trio, she’s the most well rounded. If she smells blood in the water, like a shark she can put a hole through you. And if you think it’s safe to bring the fight to the ground, the bjj-black belt is assassin like there. Pacheco’s lateral movement is above average. The only true thing she lacks is a dangerous kicking game. Despite the eight-fight roll she’s on she’s still humble about things.
“I still go into every fight thinking of myself as the underdog. I’ve seen everything fall apart for fighters who lose touch with that”.
Should Pacheco snatch a second-belt, perhaps Ray Sefo and the PFL might make her even happier with a card in BRAZIL. But; win, lose, or draw Pacheco is well on her way to becoming the face of Female Brazilian fighters. At least to true diehard MMA fans. If she is not on your radar, she should be. In the words of DANA WHITE; if you don’t know, now you know.
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