Examining PFL’s women’s lightweight opening matchups

Earlier this week, PFL announced their first round of matchups for the heavyweight division as well as women’s lightweight. The matchups will kick off on May 6th with the headliner featuring former UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum.

While a lot of the focus is on the heavyweights, PFL‘s women’s lightweight division is definitely one to watch in 2021. Of course a lot of the talk is centered around former Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time defending champion, Kayla Harrison (8-0).

Harrison is the massive betting favorite heading into the 2021 PFL season for the lightweights. The former Olympian has won the previous two seasons and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. While she didn’t get to fight for PFL in 2020, she was still able to fight.

Harrison was able to do a one-off fight with Invicta. She took on Courtney King and absolutely battered her over the course of two rounds. Now, Harrison will return to the promotion that is building her up to be the next superstar in women’s MMA.

In Harrison’s opening matchup, she’ll be taking on Brazilian, Mariana Morais (16-10). Morais is very good on the ground having won half of her fights by submission. She will enter the matchup against Harrison on a three-fight win streak. This will be her PFL debut.

Other PFL lightweight matchups to watch

One of the lightweights I have my eyes on heading into PFL’s 2021 season is Larissa Pacheo (13-4). Pacheo has been very solid every time I’ve had the chance to watch her. Her she was the runner-up in 2019 after losing to Kayla Harrison.

Pacheo’s four losses have come to Harrison (twice) and former UFC champions, Germaine De Randamie and Jessica Andrade. Needless to say that she’s only lost to top competition. In her opening fight, she will be taking on Julija Pajic (2-0).

Another PFL lightweight that I have my eyes on for this upcoming season is Cindy Dandois (16-5). Dandois is riding a four-fight win streak and she’s taking on Kaitlin Young (11-10-1) in her first matchup. The PFL lightweight season should be a good one in 2021 as a bunch of quality contenders try to dethrone Harrison.