This past Friday, Kayla Harrison made her cage return to PFL after a year away, defeating Aspen Ladd by unanimous decision.
Following Bellator’s acquisition by the PFL last week, all indications lead to a highly anticipated match between two-time gold medallist Harrison and Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, one of the most successful female fighters in MMA history.
How Can Kayla Harrison Fight Cyborg In The PFL
Harrison has the credentials to challenge Cyborg, even though she isn’t the current champion. There is no need to jeopardize this fight for the future when her PFL experience gives her a chance to be first in line for Cris Cyborg.
Harrison (16-1) has not fought since November 2022, when he was vying for his third PFL lightweight championship. That was this past Friday. But Harrison’s previous two victories against Pacheco prevented her from making it a three-peat. At the PFL 10 championship on Friday, Pacheco maintained her winning streak by triumphing over Marina Mokhnatkina to claim the featherweight title.
Harrison’s tenure with the PFL is limited to one match. As of right now, to make a return to the PFL, it looks like she will need to sign a new PFL contract if she wants the Cyborg match. Another option is that she may complete her promotion deal and then prove herself in the Octagon, where the UFC would undoubtedly be interested in working with Kayla Harrison.
Before facing Amanda Nunes, Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) successfully defended her featherweight belt twice in the UFC. She fought one more in the UFC, winning over Felicia Spencer, after losing to Nunes, and then transferred to Bellator. After winning the Bellator featherweight championship in her debut match, Cyborg has gone on to win five more bouts as the champion.
The prospect of PFL and Bellator merging is great, but it is not certain. This is the situation with Harrison, who deserves to face Cyborg but might not get the chance.
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