Elisandra Ferreira eyes PFL strawweight belt after Invicta FC, Karate Combat titles

Elisandra Ferreira wants a third championship belt to hang alongside the two she already owns from Invicta FC and Karate Combat.

The Brazilian strawweight makes her PFL debut Saturday at PFL Nigeria in Lagos against undefeated Nigerian prospect Juliet Ukah, according to MMA Fighting. Ferreira, 28, trains alongside two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco and believes her résumé gives her a head start in the pursuit of a title that PFL has not yet scheduled.

"Being champion in both of those organizations makes me very happy," Ferreira told MMA Fighting. "They say, 'Wow, the girl is a champion.' And it's not just any promotion. Invicta may not be as active right now, but it has a huge name in the market. Karate Combat speaks for itself."

What Ferreira brings from Invicta FC and Karate Combat

Ferreira started her MMA career in Brazil in 2019 and captured the Nação Cyborg atomweight title two years later. After a disputed loss in Canada — where she absorbed multiple uncalled fouls in a Pallas Athena Women's Fighting Championship bout — she reeled off three straight wins in Invicta FC, then won and defended the atomweight strap. She jumped to 115 pounds last year to claim the Karate Combat title.

Training with knockout artist Pacheco has sharpened her striking, Ferreira said. Most of her wins have come by decision, as have Ukah's nine pro victories, but Ferreira believes her Karate Combat stint and work with coach Marcelo Bispo have made her more dangerous on the feet.

PFL has not announced plans for the inaugural strawweight title fight. Ferreira said she is ready for a title shot if the promotion offers one after Saturday, but she will take as many bouts as necessary. "No matter how long it takes, I'll show them in every fight that I'm ready for the belt," she said.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Invicta FC, Karate Combat champ Elisandra Ferreira aims to collect another belt in PFL