Kayla Harrison came through as the heavy favourite to retain her PFL women’s lightweight title for the second consecutive time against Taylor Guardado.
Harrison used the first round to break Guardado down with some takedowns and ground and pound strikes. Guardado did a solid job of defending but it seemed like she was fighting on borrowed time.
In the second round Harrison took advantage of a weakened Guardado to mount her and then use the armbar to get the submission win.
Congratulations Kayla Harrison!#PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/cTORWGUllw
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
With the win, Harrison defended her title she won in the last PFL season in 2019. She is also now a free agent and online speculation is already discussing whether or not she will leave for the UFC or Bellator or stay.
Guardado dropped to 3-2-0 with the loss.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
PFL 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMS
DON MADGE VS. NATHAN WILLIAMS
Successful debut for Don Madge! The Magic Man picks up the first win of the night!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/rEqYNfFyLK— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 27, 2021
WINNER: DON MADGE VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 2:15
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DON MADGE VIA TKO
Andrews: Madge went in there and took care of business.
JULIA BUDD VS. KAITLIN YOUNG
Successful Debut for Julia Budd! Congratulations Julia!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/9w0aOaz9TX— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 27, 2021
WINNER: JULIA BUDD VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JULIA BUDD VIA TKO
Andrews: Budd did her thing but didn’t get the finish like I thought she would.
OMARI AKHMEDOV VS. JORDAN YOUNG
DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK! Jordan Young gets the KO in the 3rd round!#PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/v6OyH9VCLq
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 27, 2021
WINNER: JORDAN YOUNG VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 1:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: OMARI AKHMEDOV VIA UD
Andrews: Young went out and surprised many, including me, by using strikes to finish the bout.
LOIK RADZHABOV VS. RAUSH MANFIO
Final seconds of the 5th round!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/wqMGTWXIra— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 27, 2021
WINNER: RAUSH MANFIO VIA UD (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RAUSH MANFIO VIA SD
Andrews: Manfio outworked Loik in a phone booth battle.
ANTONIO CARLOS JR. VS. MARTHIN HAMLET
WINNER: ANTONIO CARLOS JR. VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 3:49
#ANDNOW PFL LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!! SHOEFACE GETS IT DONE IN THE 1ST ROUND!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/jsLyYhbAw2— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 27, 2021
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANTONIO CARLOS JR. VIA UD
Andrews: The UFC experience of Carlos Jr. proved invaluable.
MAIN CARD
(C) BRUNO HENRIQUE CAPPELOZZA VS. ANTE DELFJA
After the first 2 rounds, I didn't expect it to go all 5. We go to the scorecards!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN2 & ESPN
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/Dtfm9fAF8h— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
WINNER: BRUNO HENRIQUE CAPPELOZZA VIA UD (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRUNO HENRIQUE CAPPELOZZA VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Those first few rounds were murderous but Ante hung in there and went for it. Great fight.
MOVLID KHAYBULAEV VS. CHRIS WADE
Movlid's Wrestling is RELENTLESS!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN2 & ESPN
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/eqe9s2N3wa— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
WINNER: MOVLID KHAYBULAEV VIA UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MOVLID KHAYBULAEV VIA UD
Andrews: “Killer” grinded out the bout as expected.
CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. ABIGAIL MONTES
ABIGAIL MONTES UNLOADS!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN2 & ESPN
🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/Iisiou7yci— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
WINNER: ABIGAIL MONTES VIA SD (28-29,29-28,29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CLARESSA SHIELDS VIA TKO
Andrews: Shields couldn’t put Montes away and she used a late takedown in the final round to get the win. This is a setback for Shields but she will learn from it and come back stronger.
(C) RAY COOPER III VS. MAGOMED MAGOMEDKERIMOV
Ray Cooper III Shuts Down Magomed!#PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/bOgZpphY5G
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
WINNER: RAY COOPER III VIA KO (PUNCHES) R2 3:02
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAGOMED MAGOMEDKERIMOV VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Wow! Cooper III certainly came back with some new tricks. Excellent.
MAIN EVENT
(C) KAYLA HARRISON VS. TAYLOR GUARDADO
KAYLA HARRISON GETS THE FINISH!!#PFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/LxQbsHS3ZE
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
WINNER: KAYLA HARRISON VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R2 4:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KAYLA HARRISON VIA TKO
Andrews: As expected, Harrison broke Guardado down and then went for the finish. Now will she leave for the UFC or Bellator or defend yet again?
