2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison made it clear at the start of the season: “Listen, this isn’t a tournament, this is a coronation, and I’m the queen.”
It’s hard to argue with Harrison’s dominance this past season, but it won’t be an easy path to the title for the two-time Olympic gold medalist, as three other contenders at 155-pounds will try to dethrone ‘the queen’.
Finishing at the top of the women’s lightweight division is dangerous Brazilian veteran and 2019 women’s lightweight finalist Larissa Pacheco (15-4). Pacheco blasted her way through the regular season, recording a pair of first-round knockouts against Julija Pajic at PFL 3 and Olena Kolesnyk at PFL 6 to finish with 12 points and the #1-seed heading into the postseason. The only woman to take Harrison to the distance (twice), Pacheco will bank on her experience and hopes that the third time’s the charm against the world’s best women’s lightweight.
Finishing at a close 2nd-seed is 2019 titleholder Kayla Harrison (10-0), who herself picked up a pair of first-round submission victories against Mariana Morais at PFL 3 and Cindy Dandois at PFL 6. Unbeaten in 10 professional mixed martial arts bouts, Harrison has quickly established herself as one of the most dominant women in the sport. She heads into the playoffs as the clear favorite to once again capture the PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship.
Even with just five professional MMA fights under her belt, New Zealand’s Genah Fabian (4-1) did enough to earn a PFL playoffs berth in her maiden season. Fabian decisioned fellow newcomer Laura Sanchez at PFL 3 before stopping Julija Pajic by TKO in the second round at PFL 6 to secure her spot in the postseason. The City Kickboxing product will have a tough task waiting for her in the opening round of the playoffs.
Taylor Guardado (2-1), another PFL newcomer, finds herself in the fourth and final women’s lightweight seed following an impressive regular season campaign. Guardado picked up a pair of Unanimous Decision victories against Helena Kolesnyk at PFL 3 and Laura Sanchez at PFL 6 to earn a playoff berth.
Top-seeded Pacheco meets #4-seed Guardado, while #2-seed Harrison faces #3 seed Fabian.
The women’s lightweights will do battle at PFL 8 on Thursday, August 19th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Don’t miss the action live on ESPN channels and via streaming on ESPN+.