Two-time Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison is just one win away from becoming a two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion.
The 31-year-old American headlined the PFL’s latest Playoff event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, and lived up to her top billing as she delivered the latest dominant display of her MMA career to surge into the women’s lightweight final.
Harrison finished Kiwi striker Genah Fabian via TKO in the first round to improve her perfect professional MMA career to 11-0 and setup a final with the night’s other lightweight winner, Taylor Guardado, who squeezed past Mariana Morais via split decision in the other women’s lightweight semi-final.
And, after her win, Harrison issued a stern warning that she’s in no mood to stop her dominance of the cage any time toon.
“Listen. Everyone keeps saying, ‘Hey, how do you solve the Kayla Harrison puzzle? How do you beat her, blah, blah blah,'” she told Sean O’Connell after her fight.
“Spoiler alert: There is no freaking puzzle! I put you on your back, and I mess you up. I told you, one by one, they’re all gonna fall.
“So doubt me now, but I’m gonna show you how great I am.
“You’ve been talking about ‘scientists.’ The ‘scientists’ at City Kickboxing. Izzy couldn’t stop my takedowns!”
The night’s other showcased weight class saw the PFL’s heavyweight final matchup decided, as Bruno Cappelozza and Ante Delija both picked up semi-final victories to punch their tickets to the PFL Finale on October 27.
Delija – a protege of Croatian MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop – defeated Denis Goltsov via unanimous decision, while Cappelozza finished Jamelle Jones via second-round TKO in the night’s co-main event bout.
PFL Playoff Results
Kayla Harrison def. Genah Fabian by TKO (ground and pound) – Round 1, 4:01
Bruno Cappelozza def. Jamelle Jones via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:33
Taylor Guardado def. Mariana Morais via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ante Delija def. Denis Goltsov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
