WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite years of back-and-forths on social media and links to a potential fight, it appears Cris Cyborg and Kayla Harrison will not fight each other next.
With the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator earlier this week, the possibility of Cyborg vs. Harrison fight finally became a reality, yet, this is not the matchup the PFL will be looking to do, at least not yet.
PFL founder Donn Davis revealed on Friday night following 2023 PFL Championship that it will be the 2023 PFL women’s featherweight champion Larissa Pacheco welcoming Bellator featherweight titleholder Cyborg to the organization rather than Harrison.
“It’s champ vs. champ,” Davis told reporters. “Larissa has earned that. But will Cris then fight Kayla in 2024? One-hundred percent. That is going to happen. Cris will have two fights in 2024, Kayla will have two fights in 2024, and one of those will be Cris against Kayla. We think that Larissa has earned that.
“Once again, you have to do champ vs. champ. Cris is the champ of Bellator. Larissa is the champ here. We have to see that fight happen first. Coming out of that, you’ll see Cris Cyborg vs. Kayla Harrison as the next fight in 2024.”
If Cyborg vs. Pacheco is next, that leaves Harrison with no opponent for her first of her two fights planned for 2024. Davis guarantees Harrison will be taken care of in terms of fighting a quality name.
“We will develop a plan for her in the meantime,” Davis said. “Kayla has earned the right to fight the best, and we’ll make sure that she’s happy, and she has really, really good fights.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Championship.
