Kayla Harrison improved to 11-0 in her mixed martial arts career with a dominant victory over Genah Fabian in the semifinals of the Professional Fighters League women’s lightweight playoffs.
The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning judoka secured a takedown midway through the opening round of Thursday’s main event, landing in side control and eventually moving into mount where a ground-and-pound onslaught resulted in a referee stoppage.
Harrison, considered one of the top rising stars in the sport, has only gone the distance with one of her previous opponents.
“Everyone keeps saying, ‘How do you solve the Kayla Harrison puzzle? How do you beat her?’ Blah, blah, blah,” Harrison posited during her post-fight interview. “Spoiler alert: there is no frickin’ puzzle. I put you on your back and I mess you up. I told you, one by one, they’re all going to fall. Doubt me know, but I’m going to show you how great I am.”
Harrison, a 2019 PFL tournament winner, is now set to face Taylor Guardado in the 2021 PFL women’s lightweight final, which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 27. The 155-pound title and a $1 million prize will be up for grabs.
Guardado earned her spot in the final with a split decision win over Mariana Morais on the undercard of a nine-fight lineup.
MAIN CARD
— Kayla Harrison def. Genah Fabian by TKO
— Bruno Cappelozza def. Jamelle Jones by TKO
— Taylor Guardado def. Mariana Morais by split decision
— Ante Delija def. Denis Goltsov by unanimous decision
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Renan Ferreira def. Stuart Austin by knockout
— Muhammad DeReese def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision
— Marina Mokhnatkina def. Claudia Zamora by unanimous decision
— Amanda Leve def. Miranda Barber by submission
— Christian Lohsen def. Jonas Flok by unanimous decision
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