Making her professional debut in 2023, 2022 lightweight champion Larissa Pacheco put another champion on her winning resume, as she outlasted former Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd via scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 30. -27.
The PFL 2 Featherweight Championship was in contention, with Pacheco finishing third in the regular season points standings behind Marina Mukhnatkina and Amber Lebrook, who previously secured the preselection card for Friday’s show at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. .
Bud gave his best in the second and third rounds, scoring Pacheco with a right hand early in the second round and matching the Brazilian’s punches late in the fight. The former champion was hoping to gain points through elimination. Instead, Pacheco switched positions on several occasions, particularly in the closing moments of the match as his ground-and-pound wave made an impression on the umpires.
Pacheco’s smaller stature did him no good in deeper waters. However, she was the superior wrestler and threatened submission in the first and third rounds, getting close to an armbar after escaping from Budd’s rear hold. It was her first win since two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison made her the woman to watch in 2023.
Budd is now 1-3 in the PFL, signing after losing the Queen of Featherweight title to Cris Cyborg, signaling the end of her time at the top of that division.
Capellosa avenges Chevelle’s defeat
Bruno Capellosa’s exit for Season 4 was spoiled by Matheus Scheffel, so Capellosa returned the favor in Season 5.
Capelloza, winner of his third heavyweight championship of the season, lunges at Chevelle with a right hand before finishing the job with just 2:15 to go on the opening lap. The win gave him six points and a climb up the heavyweight standings, and also put him back on the right foot after losing by unanimous decision to Shevell whose bout took place on Friday.
Chevelle showed early pocket promise with Capelloza. But unlike his previous game, he couldn’t stay out of harm’s way to win points, and Cabelosa made a statement about his chances at the Season 5 Championship.
Kolesnik annoys Ladd
It took Aspen Ladd two and a half rounds to get her fight back, and by that time Olena Kolesnyk was already ahead on two scorecards.
Letting go halfway through the third it looks like Ladd has hit ship after two rounds of rejections. One of the judges even scored the equalizer, 28-28, 15 minutes apart. However, the other two gave Kolesnyk the 29-28 majority call to put Ladd back to the drawing board after her first win over former Bellator champion Julia Budd.
Sporting a freshly shaven head after barely losing weight, Kolesnyk was incomprehensible in his early match against Ladd. But it was generally more effective on its feet, where the majority of the action was, save for the soft hiss and hip-hop that knocked Blade down in the second. With her weight loss, she finished fourth in the featherweight rankings by two points in the regular season.
Walsh hunts Figueroa
Ali Walsh and Ayman pedigree and love to use it.
Muhammad Ali’s grandson achieved his third victory as an amateur by stopping Isaiah Figueroa’s takedown and hitting him with his right hand. Two big punches apparently knocked out Figueroa, and a third punch prompted referee Mark Smith to save the rookie from further punishment.
Afterwards, Walsh admitted his nerves over the opening key card. But the development of the PFL for him, for now, is going according to plan.
PFL 2 Results:
Larissa Pacheco Def. Julia Budd via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
defeated Bruno Cabelosa. Matheus Scheffel via TKO (punches) – 1st round, 2:15
Olena Kolesnik was defeated. Aspen Ladd by majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Biagio Ali Walsh defeated. Isaiah Figueroa via TKO (punch) – 1st round, 1:42
Rizwan Konev defeated. Renan Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Maurice Green Dave. Marcelo Nunes via TKO (KO) – 2nd round, 1:20
Defeat Danilo Marquez. Jorgan de Castro by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Amber LeBrock Def. Martina Jindrova via KO (head kick) – Round 1, 2:19
She defeated Evelyn Martins. Karolina Sobek via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marina Mkhnatkina defeated. Yoko Higashi via TKO (ground and pound) – 2nd round, 1:29
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