Kayla Harrison’s featherweight debut could not have gone any better.
The 2019 PFL lightweight champion picked up a dominant victory in her first fight down at 145 pounds in the main event of Invicta FC 43 on Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas. Harrison (8-0 MMA) stopped Courtney King with ground-and-pound at the 4:48 mark of round two.
It was a dominant showing all throughout the fight by the Olympic judo gold medalist, in the first of two bouts she’ll fight in Invicta while the PFL remains on hiatus.
Harrison got a trip early in the first and landed heavy elbows on King (4-2 MMA) as she advanced positions into mount. Harrison maintained top control for the majority of the round and opened a nasty cut between King’s eyes. With about 30 second remaining, Harrison went for an armbar. She had the submission locked but she was unable to stretch the arm before the bell rang.
The second round was no different. Harrison blast-doubled King, gained side control, and landed ground-and-pound until the referee waved things off.
Harrison remains unbeaten in MMA. The 30-year-old made her debut in summer of 2018 competing at 155 pounds. She’s regarded as one of the most promising talents in women’s MMA.
Harrison is expected to compete in the 2021 PFL lightweight tournament set to kick off in spring. In the meantime, she’s contracted to potentially fight twice in Invicta, of which Friday night’s bout was the first.
Below are the full results for Invicta FC 43:
- Kayla Harrison def. Courtney King TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:48
- Stephanie Geltmacher def. Caitlin Sammons knockout – Round 1, 4:28
- Hope Chase def. Brittney Cloudy submission (rear-naked choke)
- Meaghan Penning def. Alexa Culp unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Juliana Miller def. Kendal Holowell via submission (arm-bar) – Round 1, 0:49
