Harrison clinches 3rd straight PFL playoff berth with TKO over Young

Kayla Harrison clinched a spot in the PFL playoffs via a first-round TKO victory over Kaitlin Young on Friday in Atlanta.

Harrison earned six points in the final fight of the PFL regular season and will attempt to win her third title in the women's lightweight division.

Harrison was initially set to face Julia Budd, who bowed out due to an undisclosed injury. Young stepped up on short notice to fill in for the Canadian fighter.

Young returned to active competition in 2018. This is her second loss in a row following a defeat by Budd last October.

Harrison joins Olena Kolesnyk and Martina Jindrova among qualifiers for the PFL women's lightweight playoff. Larissa Pacheco clinched the top seed earlier Friday evening with a first-round TKO win over Genah Fabian.

Harrison improves to 14-0 a day before celebrating her 32nd birthday. As the second seed, Harrison will meet Jindrova in the opening round of the playoffs.