Kayla Harrison lost to Larissa Pacheco in the 2022 PFL tournament finals, her first MMA loss.
The defeat came as a shock to many, given Harrison's dominant run in the UFC.
What happened?
Larissa Pacheco, a 31-year-old Brazilian fighter, defeated Harrison in the PFL tournament finals.
Pacheco's win was a significant upset, given Harrison's status as a UFC champion.
Harrison had previously defeated Pacheco in the 2019 PFL women’s lightweight tournament finals.
Why it matters for Kayla Harrison
The loss to Pacheco raises questions about Harrison's future in the UFC.
Harrison's dominance in the UFC has been a major factor in her success.
But the loss to Pacheco shows that she is not invincible.
What comes next?
UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard has passed on signing Pacheco, despite her impressive win over Harrison.
Pacheco has been actively campaigning for a return to the UFC since being released from her PFL contract.
She recently revealed a dismissive email from Maynard after reaching out about the possibility of fighting in the women's bantamweight division.
Pacheco's future in the UFC remains uncertain.
And her recent win over Harrison has not been enough to secure a contract.
But Pacheco remains hopeful that she will be given another chance to fight in the UFC.
So she continues to train and compete, waiting for her next opportunity.
Pacheco's win over Harrison was a major upset, with many considering it one of the biggest shocks in MMA history.
The fight took place on October 25, 2022, and Pacheco won by decision.
Harrison's loss was her first in 15 fights, with a record of 14-1 prior to the defeat.