PFL President says he is frustrated by Kayla Harrison's departure: “We wanted to see her against Cyborg”

Kayla harrison fighting for the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@PFLMMA

The dream of seeing Chris Cyborg e Kayla harrison facing each other in the circular cage has been postponed. The North American, who was the big star of the PFL, decided to change organizations and signed with the UFC, frustrating plans for a superfight with the Brazilian, Bellator featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg).

Kayla's change was announced last Wednesday (24/01) by the president of UFC, Dana White, who revealed that the former judoka will make her debut in her new home in UFC 300, on April 13, against the former champion Holly holm. The fight will be in the under-61,2kg category, a first for Harrison, who has always competed at lightweight (up to 70,3kg) or featherweight (up to 66,2kg).

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Harrison's departure from the PFL left a bitter taste in the mouth of Peter Murray, the organization's CEO, who mourned the loss of his main female attraction. At a press conference, he said he was disappointed with the fighter's decision, who chose not to face Cyborg, who had been acquired by the PFL after the purchase of Bellator.

“We are disappointed that the fight between Cyborg and Kayla did not happen. Kayla harrison chose not to make that happen and move on to the next chapter. It will be interesting to see Kayla fighting in the 61kg division. We don't wish anything bad, just love. And we will always support women in sport. We have some of the best women on the planet in combat sports,” said Murray.

Kayla Harrison x Cyborg never happened

Harrison, 33, is a two-time Olympic judo champion and made her transition to MMA in 2018, in the PFL. The North American won two million-dollar tournaments in the lightweight division, in 2019 and 2021, but lost the 2022 final to the Brazilian Larissa pacheco. In 2023, she had just one fight in the PFL, beating former UFC Aspen ladd, in November.

Cyborg, in turn, spared no criticism of the North American, who had publicly challenged the Brazilian on several occasions. On her social media, the Bellator champion called Harrison “Kayla Gump”, in reference to the film “Forrest Gump”, and insinuated that she was running away from the confrontation. Cris even offered help to Holly holm, his old rival, to prepare for the fight against Harrison.