Storylines to watch heading into PFL 8

The Professional Fighters League postseason continues on with heavyweights and women’s featherweights vying for a spot in the finals. The card will feature a reigning queen who is currently on the verge of making PFL history and becoming the first ever two-division champion. We will also see a new heavyweight champion crowned as the 2023 season comes to an end.

PFL 8 takes place inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday night. The main card will go down on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9pm ET. The prelims will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6pm ET.

Maurice Greene: Training With GOATs

“The Crochet Boss” is one of the best nicknames in MMA, and Maurice Greene certainly lives up to the personality of such a monicker. Greene (11-8) is coming into this Playoff opportunity following a loss to Ante Delija and felt fired up at media day about righting the wrongs of that last fight. I felt it was pertinent to inquire about a unique addition into an already star-studded training camp and gain some insight into where the Crochet Boss’ goods may be acquired.

Less than a week ago a photo was released of Maurice Greene sharpening the BJJ tools with none other than Gordon Ryan. I was curious what impact that had on him and if there might be some implementation of Ryan’s instruction Friday night…

“We got a little bit of time with Gordon and I’m very grateful we got two nights with him. Just watching him articulate and teach Jiu Jitsu, I didn’t have many questions when he was done teaching because he was so clear and concise and it was very useful things that I can use Friday night. I think we will use some of it Friday because we will be everywhere. We’re talking about the No-Gi GOAT and the MMA GOAT [Jon Jones] and the real MMA fans and media should already know he’s the GOAT.”

I did my due diligence on the crocheting of the Crochet Boss and came away unsure of where one can purchase an authentic Maurice Greene piece, so I figured no better person to ask than the source himself.

“I been slacking on my pimpin when it comes to that. When I’m training, my hands hurt because of that but NOW I’m going to start posting on Millions Co. If you go there, some of my designs are there, and those are my designs, I designed that shit. And I’ll keep designing those, I don’t really do a lot of requests I just make it and post it but if y’all want something DM me on Instagram.”

Maurice Greene looks to take all his talents into the PFL Smart Cage on Friday night against equally as large Renan Ferreira in an attempt to secure a spot in the Finals in his first PFL season.

Olena Kolesnyk: Will History Repeat Itself?

Olena Kolesnyk meets a familiar foe in her Playoff opportunity in what many consider the proverbial Finals of the featherweight division. For the third time, the Ukranian Kolesnyk squares off against Larissa Pacheco who is 2-0 against her.

I was curious what some of the reflections from the prior two matches were, and Olena provided an apt assessment of where she went wrong in both those previous matchups.

“I was too emotional becauseI started to listen to people around how great she is and that information fucked my head in the first fight and I made a mistake and that made me step over the left leg and she caught me. Good for her, but we see what happens Friday.”

I felt it was important to then probe deeper into where her head is at currently…

“To be honest with you, it’s a Wednesday and we are all cutting weight and I feel it’s bad to disturb me when I’m cutting weight, but I decided to be nice today so pray God for me. Whatever happens, try to enjoy every second. New York, New York is my favorite city in USA so let’s do it. Just one more night and I think the hard job will be done.”

Kolesnyk (9-5) jokingly made light of the timing of the presser and certainly seemed to be in good spirits ahead of the trilogy with Pacheco. It is important to note, Larissa Pacheco was defeated twice by Kayla Harrison before finding her revenge last year – a strong parallel to the Ukranian’s plight against Pacheco. Will we see history repeated in back-to-back PFL seasons? Or can Pacheco solidify the rivalry and advance to 3-0 over Olena Kolesnyk? Tune in Friday night, or go f**k yourself.

Denis Goltsov: The Unlucky One

Denis Goltsov has made four separate PFL Playoffs appearances and is always inches away from the $1 Million before disaster occurs. Between April 2022 and April 2023, he had 6 fight cancellations due to visa issues that forced him out of last year’s season. Thankfully, Goltsov (31-7) is here and positioned perfectly to accomplish a goal that has evaded him for the last several years.

Goltsov details the frustration of being forced on the shelf-

“It’s just luck, it’s part of the game. Unfortunately we all have hoops we have to jump over and sometimes it doesn’t go our way even if we are winning so I am really hoping this time I am able to jump over all the hoops and get to where I want to be.”

I wanted some reflection on his 18-second KO of Yorgan De Castro his last time out and if that quick finish was what he wanted.

“Of course it was a good fight, but it was a little too fast and ideally I’d love to fight a minimum one round to get more experience and feel my opponent better and gain experience instead of winning it quickly. However, I was able to find the window and sometimes that happens and I was able to get my opponent out of there fast.”

Lastly, I wanted some levity and St. Petersburg, Russia (where Goltsov is from and trains) has a phenomenon where at certain points, the sun never sets creating this eternal day phenomenon known as a “white night”. I was curious what experiencing that is like and Goltsov’s answer was interesting…

“When you’re training, you’re not even paying attention to it. However, when my friends and colleagues visit, we walk around the town and it’s like daytime and it’s a unique experience to go through and a really cool phenomenon.”

Larissa Pacheco: Chasing History

2022 PFL Champion Larissa Pacheco is currently riding an 8-fight win streak, avenging her losses to Kayla Harrison, and has not been beaten since December 2019. My first question was directed at that last setback and what she changed to achieve her current success.

“I was able to get a little more money to put back in my career, a little more tranquility financially that allowed me to live comfortably in the sport.”

I wanted to bring up the parallel between Olena being 0-2 to Larissa and Larissa being 0-2 to Kayla before avenging the losses. Pacheco (21-4) had a fired up response…

“You can’t make the comparison. If you look at what I’ve brought to the table from 2019 to now – 8 fight win streak, first round KO’s, I’ve just been on an ascending curve and you don’t see those performances with Olena. Everyone’s been counting me out as the underdog in some of these fights and I’ve been proving everyone wrong. I’ve been showcasing the work, I don’t really feel like she has, and I don’t feel it’s a fair comparison.”

The champion has certainly found a new groove that has been impossible thus far for anyone to match. We’ll see if she can punch her ticket to the Finals against a familiar adversary, or if the sustained success stops courtesy of Olena Kolesnyk.

Which fight are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 17:31 by | News | 12 comments

Larissa Pacheco Wants to Continue Building Legacy By Winning PFL Featherweight Title

Larissa Pacheco proved the doubters wrong in 2022 when she upset Kayla Harrison to win the Professional Fighters League lightweight crown.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 15:31 by | News | 7 comments

Amber Leibrock ahead of PFL Playoffs: “It’s my time”

Coming into the 2023 PFL Playoffs, Amber Leibrock is focused on one thing and one thing only: her time and destiny to become PFL world champion. As someone who has faced plenty of real life adversity outside of the PFL cage including drug addiction and losing her father to suicide at a young age, Leibrock fights like a woman who won’t be stopped and now, a woman on a mission.

On August 18, Amber Leibrock will face Marina Mokhnatkina with a chance to advance to the PFL Finals, and while she’s the betting underdog coming into the fight, “Touch ’em Up” is coming for it all. Speaking to MyMMANews.com, Leibrock paid her opponent respect while also letting it be known that she’s on a mission to the title, and it’s her destiny to become champion.

“Marina she’s so skilled, she’s on a good fight win streak of her own. She’s a grappler, Sambo champion, didn’t get finish by Kayla [Harrison] all these things. Amazing athlete. Super honored to step in the cage with her, but this is my time. I gave Larissa Pacheco a little bit too much respect, came out real slow, and I paid for it, and that’s not gonna happen again. I’m blessed to have another opportunity and I’ve been saying this, I believe in fate, I believe in destiny, and there wouldn’t be a reason why I’m still in it, if I’m not supposed to be in it. I’m coming, I’m coming guns blazing.”

Letting it be known that she’s not just looking to get in and escape with a victory, Amber Leibrock wants to send a message to the entire division and any opponent she will face, including Mokhnatkina, she’s looking for finishes during the PFL Playoffs and beyond.

“I’m coming to knock her out, finish her. Whether it’s the first, second, or third round, I’m not playing around anymore. I’m not looking to just perform, I’m looking to finish these girls.”

If she gets the finish she anticipates against Mokhnatkina, Leibrock will stamp her ticket to the Championship and while she has revenge on her mind against Pacheco, she’s not focused on who her future opposition may be.

“This is the beautiful thing about PFL, me and Marina top of my priority list. I’m definitely going in there to win, get my hand raised, and get that W. Whatever happens between Larissa and Olena, perfect, whatever is supposed to happen, will happen. If I have to face Olena, I’ll face Olena, if it’s Larissa again, it’s Larissa again. The beautiful thing about PFL is if I don’t get Larissa in the Finals and they bring me back next season, I’ll get her again at some point next season and that is the beauty of this. We will meet each other, whether it’s this year or next year, we’ll meet each other.”

One focus at a time for Leibrock, but she’s making it clear that she’s on the hunt for the reigning champion Pacheco, and she’s got some payback to give her, when they meet again.

“I’m hunting her down, I want her. Whether there’s a million dollars on the line or not, I owe her a knockout. I owe her exactly what she gave me, 45 seconds of some thumpers and I wanna repay that debt.”

Earlier in the 2023 season, Amber Leibrock made waves with a masterful head kick knockout of Martina Jindrova which helped pave the way for her to be in the PFL Playoffs.

Amber Leibrock with a VICIOUS head kick KO 😳 #PFLRegularSeason pic.twitter.com/ULcvYJ426f

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 8, 2023

It’s one step at a time for Amber Leibrock, but driven by destiny and revenge, she’ll look to stamp her ticket to the PFL Finals and become the world champion she’s always believed she could be.

Mike Pendleton is a current contributor to MyMMANews while also hosting his “On The Mic” podcast and is a former Associate Producer at Sirius XM’s Fight Nation.

With a special passion for interviewing and talking to the very best around the fight game, you can read or listen to Mike’s work across his multiple outlets.
Follow me on Twitter: @MP2310

Posted 21 Aug 2023 14:31 by | News | 6 comments

Plough or otherwise to Plough

Plough or otherwise to Plough

A number of years back, fresh from university as well as having a hard time to endeavor right into scientific research writing, I participated in a workshop on plant biotechnology in Nairobi, Kenya. I strongly remember one person from an international biotech business extol individuals that consisted of source inadequate farmers, farming expansion policemans, the media, participants of parliament and also reps of charitable companies, to think about incorporating preservation husbandry (CT) right into Kenya’s farming plans.

Preservation husbandry, he discussed, protects dirt nutrients and also decreases dirt disintegration. As quickly as he discussed this, one individual skyrocketed, looking for to recognize just how weed control would certainly be done. “Use herbicides,” the man broke.

This sparked an extremely eruptive argument regarding the advantages and disadvantages of preservation husbandry that virtually thwarted the workshop. In a nation where farmers are consistently allegiant to typical farming approaches, preservation husbandry showed difficult to market.

Some in the workshop also disregarded preservation husbandry as a ploy to advertise the financial passions of international biotech firms. I, also, could not stand up to rejecting advocates of CT as apologists for the biotech market.

Much water has actually passed under the bridge ever since. I have actually involved value that CT holds the vital to lasting farming, specifically in creating nations. I need to admit that I am not the only one in this.

Recently, for instance, Rockefeller Foundation– a non revenue that deals with source bad farmers in bad nations– launched a record disclosing that 75 percent of farmland in sub-Saharan Africa “is seriously deteriorated as well as is being diminished of standard dirt nutrients at a threatening price.”

The record, Agricultural Production and also Soil Nutrient Mining in Africa, alerts that unless farmers in sub-Saharan Africa fall short to alter their farming techniques, food instability would certainly get worse.

This record is a recommendation of preservation husbandry as well as African farmers are much better encouraged to accept CT

. Preservation husbandry is, definitely, the recommended farming technique. Some would certainly quicken to suggest that preservation husbandry advertises herbicide usage whose effect on the setting can verify tragic.

With the development of herbicide forgiving genetically changed plants, farmers no more require herbicides for weed control. And also considering that the court is currently out on the safety and security of genetically changed plants– they generate high and also are eco-friendly– farmers in Africa should accept them. They bond flawlessly well with preservation husbandry.

Preservation husbandry, he discussed, protects dirt nutrients and also decreases dirt disintegration. Preservation husbandry is, definitely, the recommended farming technique. Some would certainly accelerate to say that preservation husbandry advertises herbicide usage whose influence on the setting can show tragic.

They bond completely well with preservation husbandry.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 13:03 by | Uncategorized | 9 comments

Cadets test skills at Outdoor Leadership Complex

Outdoor Leadership Complex cadet jumping off platform 2nd Lt. Owen Gainer jumps from the Outdoor Leadership Complex’s Leader Challenge Tower Aug. 10, 2023. The U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1963 presented the enhanced tower to Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark during a dedication ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.– U.S. Air Force Academy cadets can put into practice the leadership skills they learned in the classroom and training at the Outdoor Leadership Complex.

The 12-acre complex, part of the Center for Character and Leadership Development provides an experience-based outdoor classroom focused on the Academy’s Leader of Character Framework, said Kristina Book, the Outdoor Leadership Complex experiential-based learning manager. The complex features a 100-foot Leader Challenge Tower, now enhanced to provide next-generation multiple at-height challenges, including a simulated free-fall station, and six physical challenges at 23 and 55 feet, a climbing wall, and a non-traditional zip line. In this zip line, as participants slide away from the tower, they are lowered by an auto-belay system toward the ground. They do not slide to another platform at height or taken to where they could be lowered on a ladder as with most zip lines.

“Character comes from adversity; this tower injects adversity,” Dr. Tom Torkelson, CCLD deputy director, said at the Outdoor Leadership Complex Leader Challenge Tower dedication ceremony.

Retired Gen. Ronald Fogleman speaks at the dedication of the Leader Challenge Tower Retired Gen. Ronald Fogleman speaks at the dedication of the Leader Challenge Tower at the Outdoor Leadership Complex Aug. 10, 2023. Fogleman was the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to become Air Force chief of staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

Class of 1963 project

The tower was dedicated in honor of retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman. Fogleman, Class of 1963, was the first Academy graduate to become chief of staff. The Class of 1963 provided $1 million and was the lead donor for the project with funding from the Air Force Academy Foundation through the Association of Graduates’ Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Foundation. Class members presented the tower to Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark while at the Academy for their 60th reunion.

“I want to say thank you for helping to prepare our cadets for the future that we need them to be ready for, to take on the challenges that the world will present to them, and most importantly, to come together as one united team to support and defend our Constitution,” Clark said. “I’m inspired to know that this structure will push them to their limits and provide invaluable growth for them as individuals, as leaders of teams, and as the people who will continue to lead our country to greatness.”

Outdoor Leadership Complex with crowd The Outdoor Leadership Complex’s Leader Challenge Tower offers 12 obstacles at 23 and 55 feet, two 76-foot climbing walls, multiple climbing lines, simulated free fall from 55 feet, rappelling stations, and a non-traditional zip line. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

Enhancement to leadership training

2nd Lts. Ian Mullins and Kevin Brisker, Class of 2023 Academy graduates on casual status as they wait for their pilot training slot openings, performed demonstrations of the Leader Challenge Tower during the dedication ceremony. Both graduates said their Outdoor Leadership Complex visits as cadets enhanced the leadership skills they learned in the classroom and training.

“I like the challenge of having to trust people you don’t know,” Mullins said. “We were both athletes here and it is easy to trust guys who are on your team. But when you get on a course like this with someone you don’t know that well, you have to trust each other. It also gets you out of the classroom and allows you to develop leadership skills in a different way.”

From a ropes course to a next-generation complex

The Academy’s Outdoor Leadership Complex was originally built in 1995 as an outdoor wood-based ropes course area. As the facility grew, it was renamed the Outdoor Leadership Complex to account for the extended use beyond the ropes course structures.

Through the first two months of the summer, more than 1,700 people participated in Outdoor Leadership Complex programs. This is an increase of 300 from the summer of 2022. Cadets visit the complex at least twice, including the summer before their sophomore year, as part of their summer training programs. In two years, every current Academy cadet will have completed the tower challenge, Book said.

Team building and development

While cadets are the priority, the complex staff also conduct customized team development sessions with Academy faculty and staff, permanent party members, as well as Air and Space Force and Department of Defense groups when staffing and scheduling allow.

“There were two or three different groups that used this as a kickoff to their off-site [training],” Book said. “They do programs with us in the morning to start the conversation and they utilize the rest of the day to do a more traditional off-site. They’ve given us feedback that what we did in the morning allowed the conversation to be more genuine and more about finding that connection that began here. So, they’re more likely to continue talking.”

About 5,000 people participate in more than 125 programs a year, Book said. Before a visit to the Outdoor Leadership Complex, staff members ask questions about the people in the group, the group’s recent challenges and successes, and how they want to improve. The Experiential-Based Learning team assigned to the group uses the information to build a specifically designed program to meet the group’s outcomes. The idea is to start communication and identify needed areas of team growth that people in the group will continue in their organizations’ off-site workstations.

“The Outdoor Leadership Complex’s Leader Challenge Tower will be a standout for any cadet at the Academy for generations to come,” Book said. “We aren’t just developing Airmen; we are developing leaders of character in service to our nation.”

Cadets at Outdoor Leadership Complex 2nd Lt. Adam Masters helps 2nd Lt. Catherine Grebe during a demonstration of the Leader Challenge Tower at the Outdoor Leadership Complex Aug. 10, 2023. Both lieutenants are on casual status after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in June.

See more photos of the Outdoor Leadership Complex Leader Challenge Tower Dedication at Flickr.

The post Cadets test skills at Outdoor Leadership Complex appeared first on United States Air Force Academy.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 12:31 by | News | 3 comments

Larissa Pacheco: ‘I want to be involved’ with PFL super fight division, ‘at peace’ if she never fights Kayla Harrison again

Cooper Neill, PFL

Larissa Pacheco sits two wins away from making history as the first fighter to ever claim titles in two different weight classes in the PFL but she’s also looking for bigger and bigger ways to build onto her legacy starting in 2024.

The one-time PFL lightweight champion now competes in the new featherweight division, which launched in 2023, and she’s the heavy favorite to claim the 145-pound title along with the $1 million prize paid to the winner. Pacheco is currently in the middle of her third straight PFL season and while she’s not totally opposed to returning for a fourth, she’s also got her sights set on the new super fight division launching in 2024.

“I’m open for whatever but my vision really is leading into this super fight category,” Pacheco told MMA Fighting. “I want to be involved.

“If I have to go to the tournament again, I’ll think about that when the time comes but the idea of doing a super fight, it’s obviously bigger opponents, bigger payouts, that’s of huge interest. As far as legacy, it’s also huge for my career to be involved in that.”

The pay-per-view events centered around these super fights include ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou making his PFL debut along with social influencer turned boxer Jake Paul preparing to compete in MMA for the first time.

Pacheco certainly isn’t complaining about the chance to win $1 million every time she competes in the PFL season but that schedule also takes a toll on the mind and body. In a perfect world, Pacheco would like the chance to participate in the PFL super fights as she seeks to add to her growing resume as one of the top fighters in the world.

“I’m focused on my legacy,” Pacheco said. “I want to create a legacy that is like I was a really good fighter in MMA. When I retire, I want to know that through and through. I want to know that value of my work. Focusing on becoming PFL’s first time double champion is where it’s going [right now].”

Pulling off an upset and beating two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison to close out the 2022 season not only allowed Pacheco to avenge a pair of losses but it also appeared to set the stage for an eventual fourth fight between them.

That plan fell apart after Pacheco made the move down to featherweight to join the 2023 PFL season while Harrison has been sitting on the sidelines just anxiously awaiting her chance to fight again. It’s also been well documented that Harrison has two fights left on her current deal with the PFL, which expires at the end of the year.

In other words, it’s entirely possible that Harrison fights somebody else this year due to Pacheco’s involvement in the PFL season and then moves onto a new fighting home in 2024. That could effectively end the chances that a fourth fight between them would happen any time soon but Pacheco says she’s already come to terms with that possibility.

“I’m at peace with it,” Pacheco said. “I would love a fourth fight but if that happens and [Kayla] isn’t into it or it just doesn’t come to pass, that’s it. We turn the page and move on. There’s lots of other fights out there.

“I just want to make sure I’m fighting the best of the best and I’m happy with that. In terms of Kayla, I’m open to it. It’s up to the PFL and Kayla. It’s up for discussion.”

Another potential opponent that has drawn interest from Pacheco is reigning Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, who just recently ended her free agency while signing a new multi-fight deal with the Paramount owned promotion.

That nixed Cyborg possibly moving over to the PFL, although rumors continue to persist that the upstart promotion might end up partnering with Bellator or even buying the organization out right. If that happens, Cyborg could quickly become an option again for fighters like Pacheco — and she would love that opportunity.

“I’d love to fight [Cris Cyborg],” Pacheco said. “I never felt disappointed because at the end of the day and whatever goes on with the business, Cris is with Bellator, she’s with a different promotion and not with PFL. Outside of the rumors and the potential buying business or [PFL] partnering [with Bellator], I would love to. If we can take this out of rumor and make it reality, I’d love to [fight her]. It would be amazing for my career.

“Cris is an absolute legend. I see Cris as being part of the previous generation of MMA fighters that brought female MMA to this level and I see myself as part of the new generation. It would be an amazing matchup just for Brazil, it would be incredible.”

Posted 21 Aug 2023 11:52 by | Pachecos | 15 comments

Dish: pineapple cheesecake

Pineapple Cheesecake
1 mug graham biscuit crumbs
2 tbsps granulated sugar
3 tbsps butter, thawed
1 envelope unflavored gelatine
1/4 mug chilly water
1 tiny box lemon pie dental filling
1/2 mug granulated sugar
1 3/4 mugs chilly water
1 egg yolk, somewhat defeated
8 ounces lotion cheese
1 (20 ounce) can smashed pineapple
3 egg whites
3 tbsps granulated sugar

Integrate crumbs, 2 tbsps sugar and also thawed butter. Book 1/4 mug of crumbs for top of cheesecake. Press continuing to be crumbs in base of oiled 9-inch springform frying pan.

Soften gelatine in 1/4 mug chilly water for 5 mins.

In pan, incorporate lemon pie dental filling, 1/2 mug sugar, 1 3/4 mugs water and also egg yolk. Eliminate from warmth; include gelatine.

Beat lotion cheese till softened as well as include lemon combination gradually, defeating up until smooth. Fold up in 1 mug of the smashed pineapple.

Beat egg whites up until soft heights create; include 3 tbsps sugar slowly as well as proceed to defeat till tight. Sprinkle scheduled crumbs on side.

Pineapple Glaze: Measure staying pineapple and also juice and also include water if essential to make 1 1/2 mugs. Integrate with 1/4 mug of sugar as well as 1 1/2 tbsps of corn starch. Include 1/4 tbsp almond flavor.

Get 1/4 mug of crumbs for top of cheesecake. In pan, integrate lemon pie dental filling, 1/2 mug sugar, 1 3/4 mugs water and also egg yolk. Beat egg whites till soft optimals develop; include 3 tbsps sugar progressively as well as proceed to defeat till rigid. Pineapple Glaze: Measure continuing to be pineapple as well as juice as well as include water if essential to make 1 1/2 mugs. Integrate with 1/4 mug of sugar as well as 1 1/2 tbsps of corn starch.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 06:03 by | Uncategorized | 12 comments

Olena Kolesnyk: Trilogy bout with Larissa Pacheco at 2023 PFL Playoffs 2 is ‘actually the finals’

Olena Kolesnyk is certain things are going to be different with Larissa Pacheco when they meet for a third time in Friday’s 2023 PFL Playoffs 2 co-main event.

Pacheco (21-4) is the only person to beat Kolesnyk (9-5) in the past two years, and she’s done it twice. The Brazilian won the initial encounter by first-round knockout at 2021 PFL 6, then repeated the feat with another first-round finish due to strikes in the rematch during the 2022 PFL Playoffs.

It’s been a difficult matchup for Kolesnyk, 32, but with four wins in her past five fights, she thinks she’s improved to the point where the outcome will be different. Moreover, she thinks this is the definitive matchup of this PFL women’s featherweight season, despite the fact the winner will have to go through another round before claiming the $1 million season prize.

“In the beginning I thought it would be great to fight her in the finals, but nobody said that you can pick who we fight,” Kolesnyk told MMA Junkie Radio. “I guess the semifinals will be better because it will be three rounds. Better now than later. We know, you know and PFL knows this is actually the finals fight, because the other girls are easy ones. This fight will be understanding who will be the champion this year.”

The 2023 PFL Playoffs 2 event takes place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

The way Kolesnyk explains it, she lost the first fight vs. Pacheco because of a “mistake” during a striking exchange. The said she offered Pacheco “too much respect” in the rematch, and that messed with her mentally.

Going into the third fight, however, Kolesnyk is focused and confident. The Ukrainian said she’s determined to win this PFL season, and derailing 2022 women’s lightweight champ Pacheco’s chance of becoming a two-division winner in back-to-back seasons would just be icing on the cake.

“God decided to send me Larissa again to do it again,” Kolesnyk said. “So, let’s fight again. I don’t care about who I fight. All I want to make happen is to be in the finals of PFL this year.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Playoffs 2.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 04:52 by | Pachecos | 7 comments

Amber Leibrock Focused on PFL Playoffs Bout But ‘Will Always’ Want Another Crack at Larissa Pacheco

Amber Leibrock chats with the press ahead of her PFL 8: 2023 Playoffs bout Friday inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The card airs live on ESPN+ and ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

Posted 21 Aug 2023 04:21 by | News | 11 comments

The lost art of dinner parties

Carina Pacheco ’23 is a history major and native of New Jersey. Her email is [email protected].

The views expressed in the article are the author’s own.

It feels like the days of collegiate dinner parties are long gone, having given way to… other methods of gathering, let’s say, that tend to include boisterous dance music and copious amounts of a specific grade of beverage. But dinner parties needn’t be a bore —  there are a number of great ways to liven up your weeknights with friends without risking skipping class the next day. Potlucks, charcuterie and even multi-course meals can be economical, practical and fun —  way more time-worthy and rewarding than staying up into the early hours of the morning and waking up achy, dehydrated and late for class.  

It’s about time upperclassmen start to take advantage of Williamsburg’s spacious rentals before time runs out and graduation sneaks up. Unlike apartments in Washington, D.C. or New York City, here in Williamsburg one can actually accomodate a dining room table without compromising the rest of the living area. And though we may all have our plights with the housing market for students in Williamsburg, the off-campus options are tenable and comfortable —  for the most part. With a little effort, it’s easy to make your living spaces pleasant and inviting, and having friends over will make your house feel more like a home away from home.  

And for those students living on-campus, having a few friends over can be a breeze if you are making the most of the spaces you have access to. While first-year dorms may be tricky spots in terms of space, if you are lucky enough to live in a building with a roomy lounge you will have even more options in terms of what you can make and serve, and how many friends can join in.  

The most intimidating part of dinner parties has to be the actual dinner. Do you have to cook? Bake? Assemble? Not necessarily —  with a good eye, a little bargain-hunting and some teamwork, “dinner” can transcend its meaning from identical plates of expertly cooked food to a huge grazing table, where all guests can grab whatever they like. This takes the pressure off the host to provide all the options, allows each guest to contribute a dish or drink and authorizes everyone involved to stress less about the logistics and better enjoy the food and company.  

Additionally, a dinner party can be anything! Special occasion, no occasion, theme or no theme —  there are countless reasons to get a group together any time of the year or week. There can be a movie involved, a favorite weekly television show or everyone gets together “just because.” There’s no need for fancy hors d’oeuvres, elegant dinnerware or expensive bottles of wine —  that is, if you’re over 21. No matter what you are choosing to have, there’s truly nothing like sitting around a table with good friends.  

Posted 20 Aug 2023 20:31 by | News | 11 comments

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