Larissa Pacheco isn’t intimidated by what Claressa Shields brings to the PFL, and she welcomes the signing.
Pacheco (13-4), a former UFC fighter and “The Ultimate Fighter” cast member, issued a statement to MMA Junkie through her manager, Alex Davis, in which she expressed interest in facing boxing champion Shields (0-0)
“I saw that PFL signed Claressa Shields,” Pacheco said. “Since she is a possible future opponent, I have been aware of her voice on social media. I find her really cute – and I do respect her as a boxer. But someone must communicate with her that MMA is a different world! Since ‘Conde Koma’ came to the Amazon region and challenged boxers to matches, they have all been subbed.
“I think Claressa wants to surf without knowing how to swim, but I welcome easier competition in the tourney.”
In 2019, Pacheco advanced to the women’s lightweight final, where she lost a five-round unanimous decision to Kayla Harrison. The defeat snapped a two-fight winning streak for the Brazilian.
Shields, an Olympic gold medalist in boxing and the current undisputed middleweight champion, signed with PFL in November, but Pacheco will have to wait at least a year to get her hands on her. In 2021, Shields will take one-off fights instead of partaking in the regular season, similar to what Harrison did in 2018 before winning the championship in 2019.
The PFL 2021 regular season matchups have not yet been announced, though the promotion is eying an April 23 start date.
PFL’s Larissa Pacheco warns Claressa Shields: ‘MMA is a different world’
