PFL star Kayla Harrison heads to the cage. Photo: PFL
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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3162876/pfl-kayla-harrison-announcement-imminent-ceo Mixed Martial Arts
PFL: Kayla Harrison announcement imminent, CEO Peter Murray says – ‘we like where our discussions are’
- Murray confident organisation can work out a new deal with two-time champion amid exclusive negotiating window
- ‘We’re looking forward to making an announcement very soon,’ he says, as rumours about Harrison’s future swirl
Peter Murray (right) and boxing legend Mike Tyson present 2019 women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrsion with her US$1 million winner’s cheque. Photo: PFL
Peter Murray, the CEO of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), is optimistic his organisation will remain the home of unbeaten MMA juggernaut Kayla Harrison.
Harrison, 31, completed her latest PFL contract when she defeated Taylor Guardado by second-round armbar to win the organisation’s lightweight championship in October.
In the months since, there has been rampant speculation about the American’s future – specifically, whether she will recommit to the PFL, or take her services to another organisation like the UFC or Bellator.
“She’s technically not a free agent right now,” Murray told the Post late last week. “She’s in an exclusive negotiating window with the PFL and we like where our discussions are, and what the future holds for both Kayla and the PFL.
“We’re looking forward to making an announcement very soon.”
Harrison entered the combat sports limelight as a competitor in judo, winning gold medals at back-to-back Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016. She has spent the entirety of her MMA career with the PFL, debuting in 2018, and winning the league’s lightweight championship – and customary US$1 million prize – in 2019 and 2021.
Olympic gold medallist and PFL star Kayla Harrison at a press conference with management label-mate and UFC double champion Henry Cejudo. Photo: Amy Kaplan
Today, Harrison stands out as the league’s biggest home-grown star. Despite her long history with the PFL, Murray was adamant there will be no ill feelings if she decides to take her services elsewhere.
“At the end of the day, we’re really proud of ushering Kayla into the sport, under [PFL president of fighter operations] Ray Sefo’s tutelage and the organisation’s platform” he said. “We developed Kayla, and she’s got a great team at [American Top Team] and she’s an incredible athlete – so determined.
“She continues to get better year over year. So, we’re excited for A, the role we played in developing Kayla, B, what she’s accomplished, and C, the future. The future for Kayla and the PFL, together, going forward.”