Kayla Harrison focused on fights, not PFL contract situation, as playoffs loom

With Kayla Harrison’s PFL contract coming to an end this season, many are wondering what her future holds.

Harrison’s deal expires at the end of the 2021 PFL season, and she’s already on the radar of UFC president Dana White. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning PFL champion has been nothing short of dominant since transitioning to MMA, but with all the talk surrounding her next move, Harrison is solely focused on closing out the season with another $1 million.

“We’ve already had some discussions,” Harrison told MMA Junkie. “I’ve talked to the PFL. They’re very – it’s no secret that they want me to sign and continue working with them and for me, of course, I’m very grateful for that. I think it’s a huge honor that they want to continue working with me. I have no hard feelings or bad feelings toward the PFL. I just told them at this time I have two more fights, it’s time for me to focus on that, and I can’t do my job properly if I’m thinking about 10 steps ahead. I have to take it one step at a time and go smash this person’s face in and then we’ll see what happens.”

After making quick work of Cindy Dandois in June, Harrison (10-0) will meet Genah Fabian (4-1) in a women’s lightweight semifinal on Aug. 19 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., a fighter she’s already had to prepare for years ago.

“I actually was supposed to fight Genah in the semifinals of the first tournament in 2019, and she pulled out, got sick – something happened, so we had a last-minute opponent change on that one,” Harrison said. “So I’ve been watching her for a long time, been preparing for her, been ready for her. It’s a classic matchup of grappling vs. striking, and we’re actually both southpaws as well, so that makes it interesting, and I’m looking forward to a good fight. I’m gonna go out there. I’m gonna instill my will. There’s no secret to what I’m gonna do, everybody knows it, but good luck trying to stop it.”