The Professional Fighters League returns on April 23 with its third season. Over the weeks and months that follow, the company will host its 2021 regular season, which features featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight competition on the men’s side and lightweight competition on the women’s side.
The 2021 season airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+ and aims to give fighters a chance to win a $1 million grand prize.
As the season approaches, Combat Press will preview each division. Let’s look at women’s lightweight, where Kayla Harrison seeks to repeat as the champion.
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The Favorite: Harrison
There is no doubt about the favorite here. The PFL literally goes out of its way to have a women’s lightweight tournament so that Harrison has consistent competition. She’s one of the company’s biggest stars. She is also one of the few legit lightweight ladies around. While she has fought at 145 pounds, she’s still a large 155er. The remainder of the field consists of natural 135ers, and Mariana Morais is actually a flyweight. Harrison will hold advantages in size, strength, grappling and overall athleticism over the rest of the competition.