Report: PFL front-runner to sign Kayla Harrison

It appears Kayla Harrison will not be moving to a different promotion in 2022.

The PFL is the front-runner to sign Harrison - its reigning women's lightweight champion - to a new contract, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

Harrison became a free agent after winning the PFL women's lightweight tournament for the second straight season in 2021.

The 31-year-old had been in talks with the UFC, potentially for a fight with Amanda Nunes. Another option for Harrison was signing with Bellator to face Cris Cyborg.

Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, is considered one of the best women's MMA fighters outside the UFC. Undefeated at 12-0, she beat Taylor Guardado by second-round submission last October to repeat as PFL champ.