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MMA: Professional Fighters League to stage first events in UK with August double-header

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Kayla Harrison lands a head kickImage source, PFL
Image caption,

Kayla Harrison (left) is in contention to fight in London

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will stage its first two events in the UK in August.

Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena will host the opening fight night on 13 August before the PFL travels to London to the Copperbox Arena on 20 August.

The US-based MMA promotion has never held an event in Britain.

American Kayla Harrison, former Bellator champion Rory MacDonald and Manchester's Brendan Loughnane could be the headline acts.

Loughnane, MacDonald and Harrison must make it through the next round of their respective tournaments in June to feature on the UK cards.

Cardiff will host the semi-finals of the welterweight and heavyweight tournament, while London will stage the featherweight and women's lightweight semi-finals.

Featherweight Loughnane and defending champion Harrison would then compete in London, while MacDonald in Cardiff.

The unbeaten Harrison, 31, has won the PFL's lightweight tournament - and $1m (£800,000) prize - for two years in a row and remains in contention to win it again after beating Marina Mokhnatkina on points in May.

Loughnane will look to go one step further this season after reaching the semi-finals of last year's featherweight tournament.

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