Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kayla Harrison See More
The most intriguing MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites and predictions for this weekend's UFC 300 card are live before Saturday's event, courtesy of Chris Olson.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC 300 card are up and courtesy of Drake Burden, who breaks down betting and lineup strategy, as well as offers predictions for the entire event.
More Fantasy News
Dominates in UFC debut
Harrison defeated Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:47 of Round 2 at UFC 300 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Holm was a very easy opponent from Harrison from a stylistic standpoint for her UFC debut, but Kayla deserves full marks for making the 136-pound bantamweight limit without issue and going out and dominating. Holly contributed to her woes by foolishly engaging Harrison in a grappling match, but the end result would have almost certainly been the same regardless. Kayla closed with a 51-2 significant strike edge, in addition to connecting on 2-of-5 takedown attempts. With Amanda Nunes retired, Harrison is the odds-on favorite to be UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion sooner rather than later. She would be significantly favored over the likes of Raquel Pennington or Julianna Pena if the those fights ever materialize.
Holm was a very easy opponent from Harrison from a stylistic standpoint for her UFC debut, but Kayla deserves full marks for making the 136-pound bantamweight limit without issue and going out and dominating. Holly contributed to her woes by foolishly engaging Harrison in a grappling match, but the end result would have almost certainly been the same regardless. Kayla closed with a 51-2 significant strike edge, in addition to connecting on 2-of-5 takedown attempts. With Amanda Nunes retired, Harrison is the odds-on favorite to be UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion sooner rather than later. She would be significantly favored over the likes of Raquel Pennington or Julianna Pena if the those fights ever materialize.
Signs with UFC, debuting in April
Harrison will fight Holly Holm at UFC 300 on April 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After accumulating a 16-1 record in the PFL, Harrison will be freed from her contract and move to the UFC. She'll make her debut against Holm, who has won three of her last five bouts. Harrison, a former Olympic judo medalist, has brought a wrestling-heavy approach to MMA that has served the 33-year-old well thus far. Striking has been a work in progress, which could be a dangerous issue against a former kickboxer like Holm, so look for Harrison to try and get this fight to the mat as soon as possible. Also of note is that Harrison has only competed at lightweight (155 pounds) in the PFL, and that's a division the UFC doesn't currently offer. Her Olympic medals came at 172 pounds. She'll now try to make the 135-pound division, so a severe weight cut will be a new dynamic worth monitoring in fight week. Nonetheless, Harrison has opened as an early betting favorite for this fight -- a number that seemingly continues to grow.
After accumulating a 16-1 record in the PFL, Harrison will be freed from her contract and move to the UFC. She'll make her debut against Holm, who has won three of her last five bouts. Harrison, a former Olympic judo medalist, has brought a wrestling-heavy approach to MMA that has served the 33-year-old well thus far. Striking has been a work in progress, which could be a dangerous issue against a former kickboxer like Holm, so look for Harrison to try and get this fight to the mat as soon as possible. Also of note is that Harrison has only competed at lightweight (155 pounds) in the PFL, and that's a division the UFC doesn't currently offer. Her Olympic medals came at 172 pounds. She'll now try to make the 135-pound division, so a severe weight cut will be a new dynamic worth monitoring in fight week. Nonetheless, Harrison has opened as an early betting favorite for this fight -- a number that seemingly continues to grow.
Drops title in first-ever MMA loss
Harrison lost her PFL Lightweight Championship to Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 47-48) at the 2022 PFL Championships on Friday.
ANALYSIS
It was the first career MMA loss of Harrison's career, and it came as a betting favorite as high as -800 in some sportsbooks. This was a close, back-and-forth affair that seemingly could have gone either way, though the judges ultimately discounted Harrison's six takedowns in favor of the striking of Pacheco. More importantly, it showed that Harrison can be vulnerable during an off night at the office and clouds the potential of future crossover superfights. Pacheco is the only woman on the PFL roster that has truly tested Harrison during her time there, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the two of them meet up for a fourth time in the 2023 regular season and/or finals. Harrison still leads the all-time series 2-1.
It was the first career MMA loss of Harrison's career, and it came as a betting favorite as high as -800 in some sportsbooks. This was a close, back-and-forth affair that seemingly could have gone either way, though the judges ultimately discounted Harrison's six takedowns in favor of the striking of Pacheco. More importantly, it showed that Harrison can be vulnerable during an off night at the office and clouds the potential of future crossover superfights. Pacheco is the only woman on the PFL roster that has truly tested Harrison during her time there, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the two of them meet up for a fourth time in the 2023 regular season and/or finals. Harrison still leads the all-time series 2-1.
Chooses to stay with PFL
Harrison has re-signed with the Professional Fighters League on a multi-year contract, the promotion announced Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Harrison hit free agency after winning another $1 million top prize under the PFL banner, and many thought she might be seeking a step up in competition for higher-profile fights. She'll instead force that competition to come to her, while signing a presumably-lucrative offer and getting another opportunity for a million-dollar bonus by rolling through the division's 155-pound women's bracket. For those still hopeful a matchup with Cris Cyborg might be in the future, the signing doesn't necessarily rule that prospect fight out. Per Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca, Harrison's manager has relayed that he's '100 percent' sure the fight will happen, either via a promotional crossover event, or the possibility of PFL luring Cyborg via free agency.
Harrison hit free agency after winning another $1 million top prize under the PFL banner, and many thought she might be seeking a step up in competition for higher-profile fights. She'll instead force that competition to come to her, while signing a presumably-lucrative offer and getting another opportunity for a million-dollar bonus by rolling through the division's 155-pound women's bracket. For those still hopeful a matchup with Cris Cyborg might be in the future, the signing doesn't necessarily rule that prospect fight out. Per Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca, Harrison's manager has relayed that he's '100 percent' sure the fight will happen, either via a promotional crossover event, or the possibility of PFL luring Cyborg via free agency.
Cashes another $1 million check
Harrison defeated Taylor Guardado via submission (armbar) at 4:00 of Round 2 at the PFL Championships on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.
ANALYSIS
Harrison came out with a dominant Round 1, which is hardly surprising considering she closed as high as a (-5000) betting favorite. The fight was on the feet for less than 30 seconds before Harrison got a takedown and passed guard, but Guardado got back to her feet and even landed a big right hand. Harrison recovered and executed another perfect judo toss and was able to finish the frame on top. It took less than 60 seconds into Round 2 for Harrison to execute a trip takedown and get back to her ground-and-pound. Guardado gave up her back and Harrison continued to unleash before isolating the arm in transition and forcing the tap. It was another dominant performance from PFL's biggest star, and it once again earns her the promotion's $1 million top prize. The only question remaining is what's next for the 31-year-old, though nobody could blame her for sticking to PFL and continuing to cash big checks. Former Bellator champion Julia Budd awaits as a potential challenge in PFL, though there will always be questions about a move to the UFC's featherweight division. Her MMA record still sits unblemished at 12-0.
Harrison came out with a dominant Round 1, which is hardly surprising considering she closed as high as a (-5000) betting favorite. The fight was on the feet for less than 30 seconds before Harrison got a takedown and passed guard, but Guardado got back to her feet and even landed a big right hand. Harrison recovered and executed another perfect judo toss and was able to finish the frame on top. It took less than 60 seconds into Round 2 for Harrison to execute a trip takedown and get back to her ground-and-pound. Guardado gave up her back and Harrison continued to unleash before isolating the arm in transition and forcing the tap. It was another dominant performance from PFL's biggest star, and it once again earns her the promotion's $1 million top prize. The only question remaining is what's next for the 31-year-old, though nobody could blame her for sticking to PFL and continuing to cash big checks. Former Bellator champion Julia Budd awaits as a potential challenge in PFL, though there will always be questions about a move to the UFC's featherweight division. Her MMA record still sits unblemished at 12-0.