Tag: Cris Cyborg

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco – Odds and Match Preview

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa PachecoThe upcoming fight between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco is set to be a major event in women’s MMA….

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

The upcoming fight between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco is set to be a major event in women’s MMA. Scheduled for October 19, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this co-main event fight is being billed as the “Battle of the Giants” alongside Francis Ngannou facing Renan Ferreira.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco – Odds

Surprisingly, despite Cyborg’s legendary status in women’s MMA, she has opened as the betting underdog in this matchup. One can compare odds at Gamechampions right here. As of early October 2024, most bookmakers are favoring Larissa Pacheco to win the fight. The odds typically show Pacheco as a slight favorite, with her odds around -125, while Cyborg is listed as the underdog with odds of about +105.

These odds are particularly noteworthy because Cyborg has rarely if ever, been an underdog in her illustrious career. The fact that oddsmakers are giving Pacheco the edge speaks volumes about her recent performances.  

It also suggests that bookmakers believe Pacheco’s youth, recent success, and momentum might give her an advantage over the more experienced Cyborg. The close odds also indicate that bookmakers expect a competitive fight.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco PFL
Photo By Tim Wheaton

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

Cris Cyborg is a legendary figure in women’s MMA, having held championships in multiple major promotions including Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, and Bellator. She’s known for her aggressive striking style, combining Muay Thai skills, and boxing. The vast majority of her career in MMA, Muay Thai, and Boxing have all been won by way of mostly knockout.

On the other side, Larissa Pacheco has made a name for herself in the PFL. She’s a two-division champion in PFL, having won both the lightweight and featherweight titles. Pacheco’s rise to prominence includes a notable victory over Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, who is now a contender in the UFC.

For Pacheco, a win over Cris Cyborg could potentially elevate her into discussions of the greatest female fighters of all time. For Cyborg, who is currently the Bellator featherweight champion, this fight represents an opportunity to further cement her legacy by defeating a rising star in Pacheco.

Both fighters have been preparing intensively for this bout. Cris Cyborg has credited her recent boxing experience as beneficial in her preparation for Pacheco. Meanwhile, Pacheco has expressed her excitement for the opportunity, stating that this is “the most anticipated fight in women’s MMA history.”

This fight promises to be a clash of styles and generations. The outcome could have significant implications for both fighters’ legacies and the landscape of women’s MMA as a whole.

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Weigh-In Results

The PFL‘s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! Headlining in the Middle East will be former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who returns to the cage following a memorable two-fight stint in the boxing realm. For his first taste of MMA […]

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

The PFL‘s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

Headlining in the Middle East will be former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who returns to the cage following a memorable two-fight stint in the boxing realm. For his first taste of MMA action since departing the UFC at the start of 2023, “The Predator” will battle Renan Ferreira for the PFL’s superfight heavyweight title.

The same stakes will also exist in the co-headliner as legend Cris Cyborg battles the PFL’s first two-weight title winner Larissa Pacheco for the featherweight belt, while Bellator gold will be on the line beforehand when Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards run it back.

Elsewhere, AJ McKee looks to stall the charge of Paul Hughes and the likes of Raufeon Stots and Ibragim Ibragimov hope to make the most of their positions on the major PPV card.

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Weigh-In Results

The PFL’s “Battle of the Giants” event takes place on Saturday, October 19, at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

With that said, check out the full weigh-in results below!

Main Card:

  • Heavyweight Superfight Championship: Francis Ngannou (256.8lbs) vs. Renan Ferreira (261.5lbs)
  • Women’s Featherweight Superfight Championship: Cris Cyborg (144.5lbs) vs. Larissa Pacheco (144.1lbs)
  • Bellator Middleweight Championship: Johnny Eblen (184.7lbs) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev (146lbs) vs. Zafar Mohsen (145.8lbs)
  • Lightweight: AJ McKee (155.8lbs) vs. Paul Hughes (155.8lbs)

Preliminary Card:

  • Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots (135.8lbs) vs. Marcos Breno (136lbs)
  • Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov (153.6lbs) vs. Dedrek Sanders (154.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov (145.5lbs) vs. Nacho Campos (145.9lbs)
  • Featherweight: Tariq Ismail (145.1lbs) vs. Taha Bendaoud (145.5lbs)

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

We’re deep into fight week for the PFL’s second pay-per-view of the year, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 19 to take to the stage and answer some questions. PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants takes place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this […]

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs at MMA News.

We’re deep into fight week for the PFL’s second pay-per-view of the year, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 19 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants takes place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday, where the main attraction will see former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts.

Having not competed in the cage since a victory over Ciryl Gane in January 2022 — completing a pair of boxing matches opposite Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the period since — “The Predator” will look to make an emphatic MMA comeback at the expense of last year’s PFL heavyweight title winner, Renan Ferreira.

Setting the stage for the headliners will be another Super Fights championship clash, with reigning Bellator featherweight queen Cris Cyborg debuting in the SmartCage opposite the PFL’s first two-weight champion, Larissa Pacheco.

Elsewhere, Bellator gold will be on the line in the Middle East when middleweight champ Johnny Eblen runs it back with Fabian Edwards and the stakes will be high when the massively touted Paul Hughes gets a step up in competition against AJ McKee.

As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference.

Check out a full replay of the presser below via the PFL’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Press Conference

PFL Battle Of The Giants Press Conference Highlights

PFL Battle Of The Giants Faceoffs

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs at MMA News.

PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings. Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event. Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status […]

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings.

Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event.

Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status as the next in line by defeating Ketlen Vieira via a unanimous decision.

Harrison’s return to the Octagon wasn’t without comment from her former home, the PFL, who received some criticism for posting about her loss to Larissa Pacheco on the same evening.

The use of Harrison’s time spent in the PFL didn’t stop being talking point there after the promotion’s founder commented once again on the day after UFC 307.

Donn Davis Says PFL’s Women’s Division Would ‘Crush’ The UFC’s, Lays Down A Challenge To Prove It

In a post on X, PFL founder Donn Davis made a statement that was followed by a challenge to the UFC regarding the strength of their female roster.

He took Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, who are set to face off on October 19, and put them up against the champion and top contender in the UFC’s 135-pound division.

Davis makes it clear that he would back Cyborg and Pacheco over Peña and Harrison and even offers to put money on it.

Following Dana White’s harsh comments regarding the success of the PFL in his post-UFC 307 press conference, Davis wrote “#DanaScared” underneath the post.

“It is clear from UFC 306 that @PFLMMA female division would crush @UFC. I am so confident… winner take all. PFL: Cyborg + Pacheco. UFC: Harrison + Peña. $2m to each fighter… losing company pays $8m total fighter purses”

Read also: Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.

Top 5: Best Female UFC Fighters Of All Time

Top Female UFC Fighters in HistoryLet’s countdown the top 5 best Female UFC Fighters of all time. This is a measurement of career success,…

Top Female UFC Fighters in History

Let’s countdown the top 5 best Female UFC Fighters of all time. This is a measurement of career success, title defenses, and notable wins, to crown the top Female UFC Fighters in history.

Top Female UFC Fighters in History

The following is the greatest in history, the Top Female UFC Fighters of all time.

5. Valentina Shevchenko

‘Bullet‘ Valentina Shevchenko has an impressive record of 23 wins and 4 losses in professional MMA, including 8 victories by knockout and 7 by submission. She made her UFC debut in 2015 and quickly rose to prominence, capturing the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship in December 2018 by defeating Joanna J?drzejczyk. Shevchenko holds the record for the most successful title defenses in UFC women’s flyweight history, with seven successful defenses.

4. Cris Cyborg

Brazil’s Cris Cyborg is an all-time great legend in MMA history. Cyborg became the first female fighter to win a championship in four different organizations: Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC, and Bellator. She is known for her aggressive fighting style and holds a professional record of 26 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest, with 21 of those victories coming by knockout. Cyborg’s most notable achievements include winning the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship and successfully defending it.

Cris Cyborg Champion

3. Joanna J?drzejczyk

The Polish-born Joanna J?drzejczyk is celebrated for her striking skills. Her incredibly sharp kickboxing and Muay Thai acumen raised the level of striking in women’s MMA. J?drzejczyk captured the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship in March 2015 by defeating Carla Esparza and went on to defend her title five times. She was also in one of the most exciting fights in UFC history when she battled Zhang Weili with the world title on the line. Truly, one of the greatest Female UFC Fighters ever.

Joanna
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk is seen in attendance during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

2. Ronda Rousey

A pioneer of women’s MMA. Ronda Rousey is credited with bringing the sport into the mainstream. She was the first female fighter signed by the UFC and became the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in December 2012. She successfully defended her title six times before suffering her first defeat in 2015. Rousey was an Olympic Medalist in Judo before transitioning to MMA and she used her world-class experience to dangerous effects in her fights.

Ronda Rousey admits she never evolved during UFC career I was being everything to everyone

1. Amanda Nunes

‘The Lioness’ Amanda Nunes, of Brazil, was the first woman to hold two UFC titles simultaneously when she captured the bantamweight championship in 2016 and the featherweight championship in 2018. Nunes is known for her striking power and finishing ability. Her notable wins include victories over Rousey, Cyborg, Miesha Tate, and Shevchenko. Nunes has successfully defended her bantamweight title five times.

Kayla Harrison Believes Pacheco’s Power and Hunger Will Be Too Much for Aging Cris Cyborg

pfl 3 Kayla HarrisonDecorated MMA and Olympic champion Kayla Harrison has offered her opinion on the upcoming showdown between Larissa Pacheco and…

pfl 3 Kayla Harrison

Decorated MMA and Olympic champion Kayla Harrison has offered her opinion on the upcoming showdown between Larissa Pacheco and MMA legend Cris Cyborg.

Kayla Harrison on Larissa Pacheco vs. Cris Cyborg

Kayla Harrison was a multi-time gold medalist in the Olympics and a multi-time PFL MMA world champion. After a loss to Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco, Harrison jumped over to the UFC. The US-born Olympian has since submitted former champion Holly Holm.

Kayla Harrison

Brazil’s Cris Cyborg will be seeking her fifth MMA world title in the PFL as she takes on Pacheco on October 19. Cyborg has captured gold in Bellator, Strikeforce, Invicta, and the UFC.

Kayla Harrison predicted that Pacheco would defeat Cyborg in their fight at PFL: Battle Of The Giants. This event will be part of the debut of the promotion’s PPV Super Fights division, with both the winner of this fight and the main event between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira receiving a new Super Fights belt.

“I think Pacheco wins. She’s young, I mean unless she’s been goofing off, you know. Couple mil will do that sometimes. Couple mil in the bank account makes it hard to get out of bed but she’s young, she’s hungry, she keeps getting better, she’s got real power. Cyborg’s at the end of her career.”

Harrison believes that Pacheco’s youth and hunger give her an advantage, provided she remains dedicated despite her financial success. She noted that Cyborg, at 39, is in the latter stages of her career, which might work in Pacheco’s favor. Harrison pointed out that Cyborg, who began her career in 2005, has not shown significant progress or growth in her fight strategy, unlike Pacheco.

“Yeah I think she’s a little bit older and I just think that we like we haven’t seen a lot of progress from her like I don’t see her fight IQ growing. I haven’t seen progression really, she fights the same way now that she fought, you know, however long ago so I think Pacheco is gonna win.”

Harrison is back competing later this year at UFC 307.