Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
ARLINGTON, Texas – They don’t share the same sport, but Kayla Harrison can respect the work Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano displayed in their historic boxing title fight last weekend.
Taylor overcame adversity to defeat Serrano in a split decision and retain her undisputed lightweight championship in front of a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden last Saturday. Taylor vs. Serrano arguably was the biggest and most high profile fight in women’s boxing history.
Harrison (12-0), a two-time PFL champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, has a new level of respect for Taylor and Serrano and what they were able to do for women’s boxing and women’s sports in general.
“For me as a female athlete and as woman in general, and I think just an athlete, it was super inspiring to watch,” Harrison told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the 2022 PFL 3 media day on Wednesday. “My hat goes off to both of them. They couldn’t have done a better job in the ring, out of the ring – class all the way.
“They raised women athletes to a whole new level that night. And I think that’s the goal besides trying to beat people up for money. The goal is to raise the bar and make it a little easier for the next generation so they don’t have to fight as hard to just get noticed. The goal is to take over.”
Harrison returns to the cage this Friday in the main event of 2022 PFL 3, her first fight since re-signing with the promotion after a long free agency period. She takes on Marina Mokhnatkina in a lightweight bout. Harrison won the two previous seasons of women’s lightweight, capturing two titles and cashing two $1 million prizes. The 31-year-old is regarded by many as one of the best female fighters in MMA today.
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