Preview: PFL 9, 2022 Playoffs

It feels like Kayla Harrison and Larissa Pacheco are on a collision course.

Harrison and Pacheco will be on opposite sides of the bracket in women’s lightweight semifinals when the Professional Fighters League heads to Copperbox Arena in London for the last of three playoff events on Saturday. Pacheco seems to have progressed significantly since a pair of lopsided decision losses to the two-time Olympic gold medalist in 2019. Harrison, of course, nonetheless remains a heavy favorite to win her third consecutive PFL championship. If Harrison can dispatch Martina Jindrova and Pacheco can get by Helena Kolesnyk, it would set up perhaps the most anticipated fight since the promotion launched the women’s lightweight division some four years ago.

In addition to women’s lightweights, PFL 9 will feature the featherweight semifinals, as Chris Wade faces Brendan Loughnane and Bubba Jenkins meets Ryoji Kujo. The main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, while prelims stream on ESPN+ at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Qualifying bouts follow the main draw on ESPN+ at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

Lightweights

Kayla Harrison (14-0, 13-0 PFL) vs. Martina Jindrova (6-2, 2-0 PFL)

ODDS: Harrison (-4000); Jindrova (+1600)

After a somewhat lackluster showing — by her own lofty standards, at least — in a decision win over Marina Mokhnatkina in her first regular season bout of 2022, Harrison earned a quick finish against Kaitlin Young at PFL 6 on July 1. Though the stoppage may have been early, it was already clear the direction in which the fight was headed. It also exhibited several things Harrison does well: The ability to close distance in explosive fashion, secure takedowns, advance position and land meaningful ground-and-pound. In this case, strikes from a dominant position ended the fight, but Harrison also excels at using her offense on the canvas to create openings for submissions.

A kickboxing and muay Thai stylist, Jindrova showcased her striking arsenal in a stoppage of Zamzagul Fayzallanova at PFL 6. The 31-year-old Czech Republic native has a skilled jab and is capable of landing kicks to all levels and knees in close quarters. Jindrova generally moves well and will enjoy a two-inch reach advantage against Harrison. While Jindrova is a more skilled striker than Harrison on paper, distance management will be key for the American Top Team Zagreb representative. Harrison is a superior athlete than most of her opposition at 155 pounds, and the threat of the takedown could make Jindrova hesitant to unleash her kicking arsenal. An ideal scenario would for Jindrova would see her catching Harrison with counters as her adversary moves forward, but the two-time Olympic gold medalist has become adept at using her striking to close distance.

While there may be something of a feeling-out process as Harrison figures out how to best navitage the striking of her opponent, Jindrova will be out of her depth on the canvas — and there’s no reason to believe she’ll be able to remain upright consistently. Harrison advances to another lightweight final by submission.

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Wade vs. Loughnane
Pacheco vs. Kolesnyk
Kudo vs. Jenkins
Main Card
Qualifiers
Prelims