Russia’s Marina Mokhnatkina is in a position that many fighters would not envy, opening her PFL 2022 season against the dominant defending women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison.
Mokhnatkina (6-2), a six-time world champion in Sambo, sees things a little differently.
“Of course Kayla is a very distinguished fighter, but also let me remind that I have my achievements. I’ve been champion six times. And I never see an opponent as somebody out of this world, no matter how famous they are,” she said during the PFL 3 media day on Wednesday. “The job that we’re doing, I have to get out there. She’s another human being that’s going to face me.”
“If anything I’m thankful for this opportunity, because that’s the only way to grow,” Mokhnatkina continued. “You have to face very strong opponents to get better. I couldn’t be more thankful that we got matched up with her. I’m totally looking forward to it, hopefully we’re going to have fun, and I’m pretty much confident that the victory’s going to be mine.”
Still, many fighters would be daunted by facing the juggernaut that is Harrison, who hasn’t faced much resistance, if any, through the first 12 fights of her career.
“By no means am I going to be feeling intimidated,” Mokhnatkina stated. “This is the perfect time to grow, and I’m just thankful for this opportunity. I’m going to go in, and I’m going to show my best.”
Marina Mokhnatkina meets Kayla Harrison at PFL 3 this Friday, May 6, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Watch the rest of Mokhnatkina’s media day appearance above. More coverage can be found below.
-
Julia Budd
-
Rory MacDonald
-
Marina Mokhnatkina
-
Carlos Leal
-
Genah Fabian
-
Brett Cooper
