Two-time Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison enhanced her reputation as one of MMA’s rising stars on New Year’s Eve, dominating Larissa Pacheco to win the Professional Fight League (PFL) main event along with its 155 pound title and a cheque for $1 million inside Madison Square Garden.
Harrison came out on top in the tournament which came after a ‘regular season’ on a night in which numerous world champions were crowned, each winner automatically being made millionaires thanks to the extensive cash prize.
Harrison’s performance left no doubt in the mind of the judges, as the judoka dominated proceedings from bell to bell and utilised several clever techniques to dominate position throughout. Brazilian opponent Pacheco had occasional success with her strikes and offered some submission attempts from the bottom but the (now) 7-0 Harrison proved too savvy an opponent to fall into any traps.
Airborn! Courtesy of @KaylaH in round 4. The final round of the decade is coming up on ESPN2. #PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/35U7g5GqAz
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) January 1, 2020
HISTORY MADE! @KaylaH heads into 2020 a millionaire and the 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion! #PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/OllX4dELW1
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) January 1, 2020
THE HAWAIIAN CHAMPION! Ray Cooper III will return to the island a millionaire and the 2019 PFL Welterweight Champion! #PFLChampionship #AndNew pic.twitter.com/nKaKb9KKHZ
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) January 1, 2020
With devastating ground-and-pound, Ali Isaev stays undefeated in the 2019 #PFLChampionship season and is a PFL Champion! pic.twitter.com/AufpHiKdoy
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) January 1, 2020
Meet one of 2020’s newest millionaires! @emilianosordi 🇦🇷 with an explosive performance! #PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/7CKiG81T2v
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) January 1, 2020
Elsewhere on the card, Ray Cooper III beat David Mitchell to win the 170 pound tournament and title belt, while there was also wins for Ali Isayev (heavyweight), Natan Schulte (lightweight), Lance Palmer (featherweight) and Emiliano Sordi (light heavyweight).
Popular UK fighter Brendan Loughnane also fought on the prelims, beating David Valente by unanimous decision on the undercard. He is expected to compete in the PFL’s next featherweight season.
Image credit: @ProFightLeague
