It wasn’t just those outside of the PFL that took issue with the promotion’s decision to fire shots at Kayla Harrison on the day of her second UFC fight.
Harrison, who achieved lightweight title glory twice under the PFL banner, made the switch to MMA’s leading promotion this year, making a successful bantamweight and promotional debut at UFC 300 this past April.
And after dispatching Holly Holm, Harrison had the chance to add more top-five opposition to her record against Ketlen Vieira at this past weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.
Harrison’s return to the Octagon was a hot topic in the lead-up to the Salt Lake City-held event. And her ex-employer looked to capitalize with a reminder of who handed the two-time Olympic gold medalist her sole defeat in MMA.
Just hours before her fight, PFL socials posted a video detailing Harrison’s 2022 loss to Larissa Pacheco, a move many saw as an attempt to mock the now-UFC star.
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The post also came just days after PFL founder Donn Davis reiterated his disparaging remarks about Harrison’s PFL departure, accusing her of ‘running’ from a fight with Cris Cyborg and another showdown with Pacheco — whom Harrison has already defeated twice.
As it turns out, Pacheco herself wasn’t pleased to be used as a tool with which to take away from Harrison shortly before she made the walk in Utah.
Pacheco Tells PFL ‘You Don’t Need’ To Take Shots At Harrison
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Pacheco reacted to the controversial PFL post, which was widely criticized and branded “nasty” by some in the community.
The Brazilian appeared to share the same sentiment as most, describing the move as “uncalled for.” She also encouraged her organization to focus on promoting her as its current top women’s fighter rather than putting energy into its former athletes.
I thought that was uncalled for, honestly,” Pacheco said. “I think (PFL) have the champion they deserve, they have a respectful champion who has defeated Kayla, so why do that? Promote me right. Let’s promote the champion. ‘Oh, but Larissa beat Kayla.’ You don’t need that. I’ve shown (my work) with other results, I’ve proven myself, so you don’t need that.
But anyway, that’s not on me. I have nothing to do with that. I respect Kayla. Our rivalry is over right now because she’s in another organization. Had she stayed here it would be the two of us and Cris clashing heads here, but there’s no reason to talk (about her now),” Pacheco continued. “I wish her good luck. The more she wins, the bigger my win over her gets, so I’ll always cheer for her.
Pacheco, the only fighter to win gold in two PFL divisions, is set to make her return in Saudi Arabia next weekend. The Brazilian will do battle with an all-time great in Cyborg, with the pair co-headlining a pay-per-view event topped by Francis Ngannou’s MMA return.
Harrison, meanwhile, kept her ball rolling with a comfortable decision victory over Vieira at UFC 307. She’s now expected to receive her first shot at reaching the bantamweight mountaintop against newly crowned queen Julianna Peña.
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