PhotoCred: Instagram - @judokayla
PFL champ Kayla Harrison considering drop down to 145lbs for good
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison admitted that she is considering dropping down to 145lbs for good.
Harrison takes on Larissa Pacheco at the PFL finals later this month, with the PFL women’s lightweight tournament title and $1 million on the line. Harrison is, of course, a previous two-time winner of the PFL women’s lightweight tournament, not to mention she already has two previous wins over Pacheco. By all accounts, she should win her third belt and put another million in the bank. But regardless of what happens in the fight, Harrison might be done with lightweight going forward, and considering a long-term move to 145lbs instead.
Speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin in a recent interview, Harrison hinted that her fight against Pacheco could be her last at 155lbs, with a permanent move to women’s featherweight a very real possibility.
“There’s a chance,” Harrison said when asked if this Pacheco bout will be her last women’s lightweight fight.
Harrison is a perfect 15-0 in MMA, with 14 fights coming at lightweight. She did previously fight at women’s featherweight once back in November 2020 for Invicta FC, so she does have experience in the weight class.
On top of hinting about a move to 145lbs, Harrison also confirmed that this will be her last tournament regardless, as she’s now focused on getting one-off super fights instead.
“I can’t even imagine trying to make 145 pounds four times in six months (in a potential women’s featherweight tournament). I think that is, for me, impossible. I’m hypoglycemic. It would be a health risk, and I wouldn’t be performing at my best if I did that to my body. I know it’s time for me to be patient and get the big fights,” Harrison said.
Should Harrison indeed drop to 145lbs, it opens up the possibility of bigger fights for her, such as a cross-promotion matchup against Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. A fight against newly-signed Aspen Ladd is also a potential matchup for Harrison at 145lbs. Either way, there are more options for her at featherweight, and this could prove to be a brilliant career move for Harrison if this is what happens.
Do you think Kayla Harrison is making a good move if she indeed drops to 145lbs going forward?
