At the age of 15, Larissa found her love of martial arts when she began Muay Thai. Larissa began training on a daily basis, and a year later, she had her first amateur fight. Fighting 3 more times in 2012, in 2013, she fought 5 times, with Larissa entering Jungle Fight, and winning the Jungle Fight Women's Bantamweight Championship against Irene Aldana at Jungle Fight 63 .[4]
After suffering the broken arm, Larissa had to undergo a long recovery from the long-term damage and had to undergo 2 surgeries. She spent the next 3 years rehabilitating her arm, relocating to Rio de Janeiro where she taught Jiu Jitsu whilst planning her return to the MMA. During this time, Larissa was involved with Erica Paes social project that taught women self-defence and starred in popular Brazilian TV show A Força do Querer opposite famous actress Paolla Oliveira.[4]
After this loss, she was released from the UFC.
Watch Out Combat Show
In 2018, Larissa was finally cleared to compete again, moving up to the Featherweight division and faced Karol Rosa at WOCS 49 in her first fight in 3 years. She won the bout in the second round via guillotine choke after having dominated the entire bout to become the first WOCS Female Featherweight champion.[4]
The Ultimate Fighter
In August 2017, it was announced that Pacheco was one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 28 UFC TV series.[8][9]
Pacheco was the sixth pick of the featherweight fighters by coach Robert Whittaker.
[10] In the quarter-finals, she faced Macy Chiasson.[11] She lost the fight via a technical knockout in round one.[12]
Professional Fighters League
2019 season
Pacheco made her PFL debut against Kayla Harrison on May 9, 2019 at PFL 1.[13] Pacheco lost the fight by unanimous decision.[14]
Pacheco next faced Bobbi Jo Dalziel at PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. She won the bout via first round armbar.[15]
Making it to the semifinals, Pacheco faced UFC vet Sarah Kaufman at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. She won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]
Pacheco rematched with Kayla Harrison in the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. After being dominating every round by Kayla's superior grappling, Pacheco lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]
2021 season
Pacheco made her return to PFL against Julija Pajić at PFL 3 on May 6, 2021.[18] She won the bout via TKO less than a minute into the bout after dropping Pajić in the first exchange.[19]
Pacheco was scheduled to face Taylor Guardado in the Semifinals off the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 19, 2021 at PFL 8.[23] At weigh-ins, she came in 2 pounds over the limit and was therefore removed from the tournament.[24]
2022 season
Pacheco faced Zamzagul Fayzallanova on May 6, 2022 at PFL 3.[25] She won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.[26]
Pacheco faced Genah Fabian on July 1, 2022 at PFL 6.[27] She won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.[28]
Pacheco faced Olena Kolesnyk in the Semifinals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 20, 2022 at PFL 9.[29] She won the bout via first round TKO stoppage.[30]
Pacheco faced Kayla Harrison for a third time in the finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on November 25, 2022 at PFL 10.[31] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]
2023 season
Pacheco started the 2023 season against Julia Budd on April 7, 2023 at PFL 2.[33] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
Pacheco faced Amber Leibrock on June 16, 2023 at PFL 5.[35] She won the fight via TKO in the first round.[36]
In the semi-finals, Pacheco faced Olena Kolesnyk for the third time on August 18, 2023 at PFL 8.[37] At weigh-ins, Kolesnyk weighed in at 147.8 pounds, 1.8 pounds over the Featherweight limit. She was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to Pacheco, and she started the bout with a one point subtraction.[38] Pacheco won the fight via TKO in the first few seconds of the first round.[39]
In the final, Pacheco faced Marina Mokhnatkina on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10.[40] She won the fight via unanimous decision to become the first two-division PFL champion in history.[41]
