Kayla Harrison’s reign in the UFC’s bantamweight division may soon face a serious threat, and not from Amanda Nunes! The former PFL standout, now UFC champion, suddenly finds herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after the Professional Fighters League recently announced the release of Larissa Pacheco, the last woman to hand Harrison a loss.

“We thank her for her memorable bouts and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” read the PFL’s statement on X. Simple, short, but it sent shockwaves across the MMA world. Because this isn’t just any fighter being released, this is Larissa Pacheco, the two-time PFL champion who beat Kayla Harrison in 2022 to become the only woman to ever truly stop Harrison’s momentum. And now, she’s a free agent. The question echoing through social media? How long until the UFC calls?

Kayla Harrison is open to a different fight than Amanda Nunes, as Larissa Pacheco becomes a free agent

For context, Pacheco’s record speaks for itself. The Brazilian brawler is 10-1 in her last 11 fights, with that lone defeat coming against Cris Cyborg in 2024. Along the way, she picked up wins over some of the biggest names outside the UFC, Harrison, Julia Budd, and Karol Rosa. Her release, reportedly unrelated to performance, caught fans off guard. And it didn’t take long for the MMA world to connect the dots between her availability and Harrison’s current title run in the UFC.

Kayla Harrison, who captured the bantamweight belt in just her third UFC fight by submitting Julianna Peña, has been seeking her next big challenge. For months, fans have waited for the much hyped superfight with Amanda Nunes to materialize after the two women faced off inside the Octagon at UFC 316.

As such, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the champion confessed, “I have had the conversations with my coaches about how long do we wait before (we pivot), and I have an idea in my mind, like, ‘Hey, if I don’t have news by this time, then I’m just going to ask (for a different opponent). It’s also not fair for the division. I want to be conscientious of being a champion and being respectful of other fighters’ time and career.”

Now, with Larissa Pacheco suddenly on the market, that “different opponent” may materialize if the UFC plays its cards right. It’s poetic, really — the former PFL queen facing off against the only woman who ever managed to dethrone her. Their 2022 trilogy fight in the PFL finals remains one of the biggest upsets in women’s MMA history. Harrison entered unbeaten, the face of the promotion, touted as the next Ronda Rousey in waiting.

But Pacheco flipped the script. She survived the grappling exchanges, pushed the pace, and handed Harrison her first professional loss. Since then, Harrison has rebuilt herself inside the UFC, while Pacheco continued dominating under the PFL banner. And that’s where the intrigue lies for the experts!

MMA experts throw their weight behind Pacheco’s addition to the UFC roster

As soon as news of Larissa Pacheco’s release broke, MMA social media erupted. Experts, reporters, and fans wasted no time voicing their opinions, and they weren’t subtle about it. Parry Punch News wrote, “Kayla Harrison, count your days.” The post set the tone for the online frenzy that followed. To many, it wasn’t just a warning; it was a prediction. Harrison’s dominance might be tested sooner than expected, especially if the UFC sees the marketability of reigniting their rivalry.

KunathMMA joked, “Kayla Harrison punching air rn.” That tongue-in-cheek comment summed up the chaos online. Even experts couldn’t help but imagine the reigning champion’s reaction upon seeing the PFL’s statement. After all, no one likes hearing that the one opponent who beat you is now on the open market!

Aaron Bronsteter added, “If she can make 135, the UFC should sign her immediately.” Bronsteter’s take cut straight to the point. Pacheco’s only hurdle is the scale. If she can safely make the bantamweight limit, she’s arguably the best free agent available in women’s MMA today. A natural fit for a division hungry for challengers to the champion, Kayla Harrison.

Danny Segura echoed that sentiment as he chimed in with, “Big free agent. Pacheco really improved under the PFL banner. She’s a quality fighter. UFC should sign her, should she still be able to make 135 pounds.” His comment highlighted Pacheco’s growth, a fighter who matured under the PFL spotlight and could now bring that experience to the UFC’s grander stage. For those unaware, Pacheco once fought in the UFC nearly a decade ago, debuting at UFC Fight Night 51 in 2014. She went 0-2, suffering losses to Jessica Andrade and Germaine de Randamie before being cut. Now, at 31, she has a chance to rewrite the script!

Adam Martin wrote, “Bring her home to the UFC.” Short, simple, and reflective of the broader fan sentiment. For many, Pacheco’s journey feels unfinished. She failed to make it in the UFC in her first run, evolved massively outside it, and now deserves her second act. What do you think?

And Guilherme Cruz pointed out, “If Larissa Pacheco can make 135 again, she should be in the UFC. She fought there a decade ago and went 0-2 vs. Germaine de Randamie and Jessica Andrade at BW. 13-3 since with wins over Kayla Harrison, Julia Budd, and Karol Rosa. Only lost to Harrison (2x) and Cris Cyborg.” Cruz’s data-backed observation served as the final word, Larissa Pacheco’s resume proves she belongs among the elite, and her storyline with Harrison makes her signing a no-brainer!

If the UFC is serious about revitalizing the women’s bantamweight division, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. A Harrison vs. Pacheco rematch under the UFC banner would be a blockbuster, skill meets history, dominance meets redemption. Pacheco’s evolution from a 0-2 UFC prospect to a dominant, multi-division PFL champion is the kind of comeback story fight fans live for. The experts have weighed in, and the message is loud and clear: sign Larissa Pacheco. Until that happens, there will always be one lingering question about the only loss on Kayla Harrison’s record so far!