Karate Combat 61 took place with several notable results. Larissa Pacheco defeated Yulia Stashchuk by TKO in the first round. In other action, Janaina Silva defeated Jayde Menezes by decision, while Shahzaib Rind defeated Andre Ewell in the main event. Guram Kutateladze defeated Lucas Almeida, Claudio Ribeiro defeated Curtis Millender, and Tommy Aaron defeated Armus Gayton. The event also featured wins by Wanito Antunes over Reggan Northrap, AJ Weathersby over Naldo Silva, and Sitik Muduev over Devin Lee.
Karate Combat 61 delivered a full night of action on May 4, 2026, headlined by a standout first-round finish and a main event that closed out the card in style.
Larissa Pacheco put on an early statement, stopping Yulia Stashchuk by TKO in the opening round. The 31-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Joao Bastos Team, carries a 10-2 record into her Karate Combat run. Standing five-foot-seven and fighting out of an orthodox stance, Pacheco has built her reputation on pressure and finishing ability rather than volume, averaging 1.21 significant strikes per minute across her career.
Janaina Silva, known as "Jana-Iron-Hand," picked up a decision win over Jayde Menezes to improve to 5-1. The 34-year-old Brazilian stands five-foot-one with a 60-inch reach and fights out of the Babuino Gold Team.
In the main event, Shahzaib Rind defeated Andre Ewell. The American veteran, nicknamed "Mr. Highlight," drops to 17-9 with the loss. The 38-year-old southpaw from Apex MMA is known for his active striking output, averaging 4.28 significant strikes per minute at 40 percent accuracy across his career, with a 75-inch reach that has made him a dangerous opponent at range.
Why it matters
- Pacheco's first-round finish reinforces her finishing credentials in the Karate Combat format
- Ewell's loss in the main event marks a setback for one of the more experienced names on the roster
- Silva's decision win adds to a growing 5-1 record as she looks to establish herself in the women's division
- The full card featured nine bouts, signaling Karate Combat's continued commitment to stacking its events with competitive matchups across multiple weight classes
