Kayla Harrison rates first-round TKO win a 6 out of 10: 'There's things I can work on'

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Kayla Harrison has done it again.

The 2019 PFL women’s lightweight champion and two-time judo Olympic gold medalist finds herself once more in the final of a PFL season and competing for the $1 million prize – and she did it by taking out Genah Fabian with ground-and-pound in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 2 on Thursday night.

But despite the clean, dominant win, for Harrison (11-0) it still doesn’t come close to being perfect.

“I give it a 6, maybe,” Harrison told MMA Junkie. “There’s definitely things I can work on, but I took no damage and got the job done in the first round so can’t complain too much.”

The win over Fabian marks Harrison’s third consecutive, first-round win in 2021. Although she has run through the competition put in front of her, the American Top Team product has found the 2021 season challenging in her own way.

“Yeah, I’m my greatest challenge,” Harrison explained. “I work hard at the gym, so I can make it look easy on fight night, you know. If you talk to Mike Brown or Steve Mocco or Anderson, they’ll tell you I cry once a week at the gym. I bow my head and pray for the strikes to be better all the time. I work really hard so when I go out there I have a good time.”

Harrison takes on Taylor Guardado, who defeated Mariana Morais via split decision, for the $1 million prize in the final. The fight is scheduled for Oct. 27 also at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

Harrison is eager for the final and is glad to be getting a fresh matchup in the final.

“I’m excited that it’s a new opponent, I’m excited that she’s a fresh face,” Harrison said. “I know she has a really good amateur record. She’s done great here in the PFL. She said she’s kind of the little engine that could and she’s found a way and dug deep. I’m excited for it, it’s going to be good. Two moms facing off, it’s going to be great.”