HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Kayla Harrison might be facing the biggest test of her career, but she’s more than confident taking on the challenge.
The 2019 PFL women’s lightweight champion fights Genah Fabian in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 2 in a women’s lightweight semifinal bout scheduled to go down at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Fabian (4-1) is 6 feet tall and has no prior history of competing at bantamweight or featherweight. She’s a natural lightweight fighter, which is not something all the female fighters competing at 155 pounds in PFL share.
Harrison (10-0) knows the challenge is tall in the City Kickboxing product, but doesn’t think it’s enough to stop her from getting her hand raised in the end.
“Have you seen these (muscles),” Harrison said. “You see those things. She keeps saying she’s got a team of scientists, she’s big, she’s a true 155er, but I used to do judo at 175 pounds, okay? It’s not like I’m this little thing. It doesn’t matter, Izzy (Adesanya) couldn’t stop my takedowns. I don’t care how big you are, big trees fall hard.”
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Harrison submitted Bobbi Jo Dalziel in 2019, who’s also a similar size to Fabian.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist is considered a big favorite to not only beat Fabian but beat her convincingly. Harrison has no problem being once again the favorite ahead of a fight.
“I want to be the best in the world on my worst day,” Harrison said. “That means I train hard, I prepare properly, and I don’t look for anything to motivate me externally. I look from within.
“I have a deep burning desire to be the best at what I do and every day that gets me out of bed. I don’t hit the snooze button. I don’t cheat. I don’t skip practices, I don’t skip sessions. I go extra because that’s how bad I want it. I don’t care if I’m the underdog or heavy favorite. It doesn’t matter. I’m here to do one thing only and that’s to be the best.”
2021 PFL Playoffs 2 takes place on Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
Watch the interview with Harrison in the video above.