Larissa Pacheco continues to solidify her position as a dominant force in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with her recent lightning-fast victory over Olena Kolesnyk in the women’s featherweight playoff semifinal. Pacheco, who previously won the 2022 championship at lightweight, wasted no time in displaying her skills, delivering a brutal knockout in just 14 seconds. This remarkable performance puts Pacheco on the cusp of becoming the first two-division PFL champion.
Pacheco’s victory over Kolesnyk marks her ninth consecutive win since her defeat in the 2019 lightweight final against the two-season champion, Kayla Harrison. This impressive winning streak includes seven first-round knockouts, including all three of her encounters with Kolesnyk. Notably, Pacheco achieved one of her most significant upsets by defeating Harrison in last year’s 155-pound final. Her success can be attributed to her unwavering determination and unmatched work ethic.
Confidence and Dedication
After her victory, the 28-year-old Brazilian expressed her confidence, emphasizing the immense effort she puts into her training. Pacheco’s self-assuredness stems from her refusal to sit idly, waiting for opportunities to come to her. Instead, she actively seeks out challenges and brings her best to every fight. Her dedication to improvement is evident, as she mentioned that longer fights would allow her to showcase more of her evolution as a fighter. Pacheco’s hands often lead to swift victories, leaving little room for her opponents to mount a defense.
Pacheco, the top-seeded fighter, has secured her place in the championship bout on November 24th. Standing in her way is the second-seeded Marina Mokhnatkina, who also earned her spot through a quick finish in her semifinal fight. Mokhnatkina, a six-time world sambo world champion from Russia, dispatched Amber Leibrock with an armbar submission just 1 minute and 45 seconds into Round 1. Both Pacheco and Mokhnatkina possess formidable skills, setting the stage for an intense battle in the final.
In the heavyweight semifinals, Denis Goltsov and Renan Ferreira demonstrated their dominance by securing swift victories to advance to the championship fight. Goltsov, the top seed, wasted no time in taking down Jordan Heiderman and bloodied him with ground-and-pound punches. With only 44 seconds left in the first round, Goltsov secured an arm triangle choke, forcing Heiderman to submit. This is Goltsov’s fourth appearance in the PFL playoffs, and his first time making it to the final.
Ferreira, the second seed, delivered a devastating straight right hand to Maurice Greene’s chin in the final minute of the first round. The blow resulted in a TKO finish at 4 minutes and 46 seconds, propelling Ferreira to the championship. Greene, the fifth seed, entered the bracket when Marcelo Nunes withdrew due to injury.
The Path to Greatness Continues
Larissa Pacheco’s remarkable performance showcases her undeniable talent and establishes her as a formidable force in the PFL. Her unwavering dedication and confidence enable her to dominate her opponents and secure victories with astonishing speed. As Pacheco prepares to face Marina Mokhnatkina in the championship match, fans eagerly anticipate another display of her phenomenal skills and determination. Will Pacheco become the first two-division PFL champion? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Larissa Pacheco’s journey to greatness is far from over.
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