Elisandra Ferreira ready to shock doubters in PFL Nigeria debut

Former Invicta atomweight champion Elisandra Ferreira intends to prove size doesn't matter when she makes her Professional Fighters League debut Saturday in Lagos against unbeaten Nigerian Juliet Ukah.

The Brazilian's path to the PFL came through necessity after Invicta went dark following her title defense in May 2025. She'd asked to move up to strawweight but the promotion stopped running events, according to Sherdog. Within a week she took a Karate Combat bout to stay active. When another major promotion showed no interest, her manager landed the PFL contract. "It's a gigantic opportunity, a door that opened which I plan to hold onto with both hands," she told the outlet.

Ferreira confident knockout power overcomes size disadvantage

Ferreira trains with PFL tournament winner Larissa Pacheco and has studied Ukah's tape with her corner. She's unbothered by fighting the taller opponent on home soil. "People think I'm too small. But it's a tremendous advantage for me," she said. "I'll show that when I knock her out."

Her corner has mapped counters for Ukah's attacks and prepared for the height gap. Ferreira believes criticism of her frame misses the point. She carried knockout power through atomweight and sees no reason that changes at flyweight.

The Brazilian started her career late and took her first pro fight with minimal preparation, stopping her opponent and committing to the sport full-time. Few in her family supported the decision. She now works daily with Pacheco, coach Marcelo Bispo, and BJJ champion Livia Felix, building on title runs at Invicta, Nacao Cyborg, and Karate Combat.

One wrinkle: her fight lands the same day Brazil opens World Cup play against Morocco. Ferreira expects her bout to finish before kickoff and plans to celebrate two wins. She also anticipates resistance from a crowd she suspects may not embrace women's MMA. "We're here to change that," she said. "Women have children. We feel a pain that no one else understands. So why can't we fight, same as men?"

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — PFL newcomer Elisandra Ferreira embracing underdog role in Nigeria