It was just a minute into the opening round of Kayla Harrison’s return to action at the 2023 PFL Championship that she managed to take Aspen Ladd to the mat.
Harrison, a two-time women’s lightweight champion, was returning to action for the first time since a shock upset against Larissa Pacheco at last year’s championship final. The loss to Pacheco, whom Harrison had defeated twice previously, was a surprise; that Harrison had not been seen since had been an outright shock.
But having missed an entire season — and a chance to compete as a featherweight, a division Harrison had competed in just once before, but that appears to be the future for the PFL — Harrison finally made her return on Friday.
The two-time Olympic gold medal winner looked sharp early, showing improved striking, and cracking Ladd’s face with a well-timed knee up against the fence. Ladd showed she could hang with Harrison on the ground, however, at one point reversing position, though the upper hand would not last long for the former UFC talent.
In the second round, it was a Harrison right hand followed by a takedown that left viewers with a sense of deja vu. Just a minute in, Harrison once again had the fight to the mat. Ladd had something of a guillotine opportunity off her back, with her corner directing her, but frankly, it was never close to being a threat.
Ladd would make it back up. Harrison would take it her back. Ladd made it up once again. A headlock and throw saw Ladd planted on her back once again. The same old story for Kayla Harrison, who dominant judo had been a puzzle only Pacheco had managed to solve to date.
At the end of the round, Kayla Harrison had an arm-triangle choke set up. Time ran out, however, before she could step across Ladd and get in position to finish it.
Harrison’s jab was on display in the third; her left hand connected flush as Aspen Ladd walked forward. When they went to the ground, Ladd managed a slick reversal — and briefly took Kayla Harrison’s back! Not for long, however, as Harrison quickly got back in the driver’s seat, moving to side control with Ladd against the fence.
Ladd would make it to her feet. But time was ticking away, in a fight that Harrison had controlled the majority of. A knee to Ladd connected with just over a minute to go. Harrison managed to get Ladd to her knees, and poured on some ground n’ found. A gutsy Aspen Ladd would make it back to her feet one last time, and make it to the final bell — but Kayla Harrison’s return was nothing if not successful.
