Taylor Guardado entered the 2021 PFL season coming off a loss, but that didn’t stop her from rattling off three straight wins to earn a spot in the finals.
This fight week wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for the Xtreme Couture product, though, as she dealt with multiple challenges surrounding the fight.
Her original opponent at 2021 PFL Playoffs 2, Larissa Pacheco missed weight by two pounds, which prompted a late opponent change to Mariana Morais. Couple the challenge of facing a new opponent on short notice with family concerns outside of the cage, Guardado (3-1 MMA, 3-0 PFL) had to fight through a lot this week to earn her shot at the $1 prize that awaits in the finals.
“My mom has cancer,” Guardado said during the post-fight news conference. “We all knew that, but it spread a little bit so she had to get a surgery and it ended up being a very serious surgery, more serious than what we hoped for. She’s been in the hospital for the past 5-ish days or so and I’ve just been a mental wreck, essentially.”
Guardado was able to channel her energy and focus on the fight at hand against Morais to turn in a hard-fought split decision victory. After being declared the winner of the bout, the emotions were on full display as the live feed of her husband and son celebrating the judges’ decision was shown on the screens.
“It’s just been a rollercoaster of a week,” Guardado said. “I’ve tried to use that and just thinking of my son, and my husband, and people that I don’t want to let down and getting the job done. It worked. I still have to call my mom. They sent me a little selfie of her being all excited, so I’m happy with my results and I know I have to come harder Oct. 27.”
The focus shifts to the next fight, where she will meet the mainstay of the lightweight finals and multi-year PFL champion, Kayla Harrison. Guardado will have her work cut out for her to emerge victorious against a dominant force like Harrison (11-0 MMA, 10-0 PFL), but believes she can find a way to be successful.
“I think I’m just gonna have to be tenacious, gritty, and smart,” Guardado said. “I think that’s what it comes down to, just making very smart decisions, but implementing my game plan at the same time.”
The 2021 PFL Championships takes place on Oct. 27 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
