Two-time PFL light-weight champion Kayla Harrison believes the possibilities of her ever assembly Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino are “slim,” following Justino’s choice to re-sign with Bellator MMA latter future.

Harrison (15-1) says she has two fights left on her PFL word of honour, which is ready to run out in December. The PFL opted not to make the most of Harrison in its 2023 season layout, in bias of looking to arrange a pay-per-view match between her and Justino. The PFL made a powerful push to signal Justino, however she in the end returned to Bellator the place she is a featherweight champion.

“I was told it was a done deal with PFL, that she was going to sign and plan [to fight her] on ‘this date,'” Harrison advised ESPN. “So, I had a lot of hope. It is what it is. I can’t control it.

“I believe [the chances of this fight ever happening] are thin. I believe it’s lovely thin. I’m now not taking to mislead the enthusiasts. I believe the possibilities of us combating are lowering, now not expanding.”

Harrison is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, and considered one of the top female fighters in the world. There’s been speculation around a fight between her and Justino for years, really ever since Harrison made her professional MMA debut in 2018. Harrison agreed to sign with Bellator last year in order to make the fight happen, but the PFL exercised a matching right in her contract, which prevented it.

The PFL went all in on the matchup this year. Now that Justino is back with Bellator, it leaves Harrison in limbo. The most obvious matchup for Harrison in the PFL is a fourth meeting against 2022 champion Larissa Pacheco, who handed Harrison her first loss via unanimous decision last November. The two have already fought three times though. Harrison defeated Pacheco twice in 2019.

It’s possible Harrison could go all year without a fight, due to the lack of options. The 32-year-old said she doesn’t believe that will happen, but acknowledged the possibility.

“I believe they’re taking to have the opportunity for me to struggle,” said Harrison, on the PFL. “I imagine in them, they imagine in me and they would like me to struggle. It’s now not of their very best hobby to take a seat on me and they’ve to pay me a ton of cash. So, they’re gonna have the opportunity … I’ve additionally been endorsed [not fighting] may occur and I want to get ready myself for that. So, I’m looking to. I’m now not there but, however I’m looking to get ready if I don’t.”

According to Harrison, she becomes an unrestricted free agent in December, and is likely to draw interest from the PFL, Bellator and the UFC. She did say one silver lining in the in activity of 2023, thus far, is that she’s healed from lingering injuries and has plenty of time left in the sport despite the recent frustrations.

“I’m hungry,” Harrison said. “A accumulation of the fitness issues that had been f—ing me up latter presen have, thank God, subsided. So, yeah. I’m now not going any place.”