HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Larissa Pacheco made some changes in 2020 and they have paid off in her return to MMA during the 2021 PFL season.
The women’s lightweight and former UFC fighter spent the majority of last year bulking up in weight to adjust to her new division. Pacheco (15-4) competed for the majority of her career at 135 pounds, but she moved up to 155 in order to join and compete in PFL’s women’s lightweight season.
It was a must-needed change, as she felt the downside to fighting opponents much larger than her, losing on the chance to win $1 million in the final of the PFL 2019 season.
“I took the year 2020 to bulk up,” Pacheco told MMA Junkie through a translator. “If you look back at my career, I used to fight at 135 pounds and I went up two weight classes. This is something I noticed fighting Kayla. I needed to build up, I needed to have a bigger frame because that’s something that made a difference when I competed against her. Now I’m bigger and I think it’s shown in my latest fights.”
Pacheco has shown to have much more power in her punches this season. The Brazilian has two, first-round knockout wins in 2021. The last time she finished someone prior to 2021 was back in 2013.
“I’m extremely happy that I’m able to show that I’m not just a jiu-jitsu practitioner and that I’m able to showcase other tools in my toolbox and I come out there to bang and knock people out. It shows that I’m a complete mix martial artist.”
And her gain in muscle and weight has been significant. Pacheco now has to cut down to 155 pounds, something she didn’t do in her first run in PFL.
“Back in 2019 I was 70 kilos, 71, so 155, 157 pounds, and that’s showing up not really cutting weight,” Pacheco explained. “Now I’m at 80 kilos that’s in the 170’s (pounds) and I already notice a difference in my frame and what I’m able to do inside the cage.”
Pacheco takes on Taylor Guardado at 2021 PFL Playoffs 2, which takes place on Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
Watch the interview with Pacheco in the video above.
PFL’s Larissa Pacheco attributes recent KOs to 20-pound bulk: ‘I needed to have a bigger frame’
