Cris Cyborg Eyes Leah McCourt for PFL Return, Dismisses Larissa Pacheco Rematch

Despite competing just once per year in MMA recently, Cris Cyborg remains one of the sport’s biggest stars. The former UFC and Bellator champion made her PFL debut last October, securing a dominant win over Larissa Pacheco. Now, as she continues to balance boxing and MMA, Cyborg is looking ahead to her next challenge inside the cage.

At 39 years old, Cyborg has been diversifying her career, including stepping into the boxing ring. She has expressed interest in facing undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields, but after securing another boxing win in March, an MMA return appears imminent.

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Cyborg revealed that she expects to return to MMA in the fall. "I believe my next MMA fight is gonna be in the fall. So after the fight, I just keep working, keep training, and yes, I believe it’s gonna be around that time," she stated.

As for who she might face next, Cyborg pointed to Leah McCourt as a likely opponent. "PFL has other girls I can fight. They have Leah McCourt, who I was already supposed to fight in Bellator to defend the title. They have other girls there," she explained.

McCourt, a former Bellator featherweight contender, recently suffered a first-round submission loss to Sara Collins, but remains one of the few fresh matchups available for Cyborg.

However, a rematch with Larissa Pacheco doesn’t seem to interest the MMA legend. The PFL currently lacks a deep talent pool at 145 pounds, a challenge the promotion also faced during the Kayla Harrison era.

"It’s tough because I’ve been at the top for so long that I’ve already fought most of the best competition," Cyborg admitted. "I want fresh challenges, but those aren’t always easy to find at my weight."

As the PFL looks to book its next major women’s MMA bout, it remains to be seen whether they will push for Cyborg vs. McCourt or attempt to convince her to take another fight with Pacheco. Either way, Cyborg’s return will be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.