BRAZILIAN PROSPECTS MMA FIGHTERS IN THE WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT CATEGORY IN 2026

The women’s featherweight division (145 lb) is a category that no longer exists in the UFC, but it was once the stage for one of the most iconic fights in women’s MMA history: Amanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg. The bout ended in unexpected fashion, with Amanda scoring a quick knockout, and the long-anticipated rematch never happened. In addition, the fact that Amanda Nunes simultaneously defended two championships ultimately stalled the division and made it difficult for the weight class to stabilize. Since then, the category has lost visibility in the world’s largest MMA organization and was officially discontinued a few years ago.

Even so, several factors could eventually reignite interest in the women’s featherweight division, such as the recurring difficulty many bantamweight fighters face in making the 61 kg limit, the fact that Kayla Harrison must undergo extreme weight cuts to compete in lower divisions, and the narratives surrounding names like Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison, and Larissa Pacheco. For now, however, athletes in this division must evaluate alternatives such as dropping down to the bantamweight division (135 lb) if they aim to secure a spot in the UFC.

This overview, conducted in January 2026, highlights three Brazilian featherweight athletes, based on the national rankings as well as factors such as age, record, and recent competitive relevance.

• Cris Cyborg remains a central figure in the division despite her long career. The Brazilian has only one fight left on her PFL contract and has repeatedly expressed interest in returning to the UFC. Although she has announced plans to retire after this bout, a potential return to the UFC for major matchups — such as a fight against Kayla Harrison or even rematches against Amanda Nunes or Larissa Pacheco — could extend the legendary striker’s career for a few more high-profile appearances. Regardless of what the future holds, Cris remains deeply tied to the historical relevance of the women’s featherweight division.

• Larissa Pacheco, now 33 years old, has been the most active Brazilian featherweight in recent years. She recently became a free agent after parting ways with the PFL and has already expressed interest in signing with the UFC. Currently, Larissa is assisting in Amanda Nunes’ preparation for her fight against Kayla Harrison, further reinforcing her connection to the elite level of the sport. It is also worth noting that Larissa is the only fighter to defeat Kayla Harrison in 20 professional bouts, a distinction that continues to set her apart and keeps her relevant in any discussion about the future of the division.

• Geovanna Moura, at 27 years old and 1.72 m (5’8”) tall, is building her career in a quieter but consistent manner. With a professional record of 4 wins and 1 loss, she secured two victories in 2025, demonstrating steady progress and activity. Although she is still competing on the national scene, her performances indicate high-level potential. Whether remaining at featherweight or transitioning to the bantamweight division (135 lb), the outlook suggests she will pursue opportunities in the global women’s MMA landscape in the coming years.

💬 Summary: Brazilian women’s featherweight MMA is currently in a period of uncertainty, largely due to the absence of the division in the UFC. Even so, fighters like Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco continue to keep the division alive in the MMA imagination, while athletes such as Geovanna Moura represent a possible new generation. The future of the weight class will depend both on strategic decisions made by the athletes and on potential moves by the UFC itself.

🗣️ Discussion: Do you believe the UFC could eventually reactivate the women’s featherweight division? Or is the most realistic path for these fighters to adapt to the bantamweight division?