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In a shocking turn of events, Larissa Pacheco defeated Kayla Harrison for the PFL lightweight title. Pacheco handed Harrison her first career loss and took the title from the two-time champion. With her win in the PFL Championship main event, Pacheco also secured the million-dollar prize money.

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Harrison had established herself as a dominant force in women’s MMA. This shocking defeat surprised many pros and fans who shared their reactions on social media.

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Pros react to Kayla Harrison losing in PFL main event

Kayla Harrison missed out on a third title defense and a million-dollar check with her loss. Prior to her fight, she had expressed her interest in fighting Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg.

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However, this loss will halt those talks for a while. After Harrison’s surprising defeat, Cyborg sent an insightful and encouraging message to the former champion.

One fan was glad that the judges gave the nod to Pacheco.

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman gave props to Pacheco for her wrestling defense. Similarly, UFC fighter Casey O’Neill also gave props to Pacheco’s wrestling defense and relentless pressure.

Budding UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney said how Pacheco deserved her victory.

Another MMA fan pointed out how Harrison focusing on Nunes and Cyborg may have cost her the undefeated streak.

One MMA Twitter member pointed out this is only the latest MMA upset of 2022.

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling gave his two cents on the fight. He congratulated both fighters for their performance.

For Chael Sonnen, it was clear as day who won the fight. He expressed frustration with the decision about what he saw.

Harrison’s loss is the latest in a long list of upsets this year in MMA. This might keep her away from Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes’ type of conversations now.

Read MoreVIDEO: Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison Sparring From the Vault

What are your thoughts on Harrison losing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Yeswanth Praveen

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As Senior Editor of EssentiallySports’ UFC division, Yeswanth Praveen brings firsthand experience to our combat vertical. A competitive boxer since his college days, he still trains four times a week, keeping his connection to the sport sharp. An English major with a strong command of language, Yeswanth combines technical insight with compelling storytelling, decoding complex fight sequences while capturing the heart of a fighter’s journey. Since joining EssentiallySports in 2021, he has played a pivotal role in shaping our combat coverage strategies. His work has earned recognition from UFC veterans like Bruce Buffer and former heavyweight Brendan Schaub. His UFC takes on Twitter keep him actively engaged with fight fans. Whether breaking down a high-stakes title fight or profiling a rising prospect, Yeswanth delivers authenticity and depth.

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Rohini Kottu

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