What to watch for in the 2022 PFL Championships

The PFL has a lot going on in its fourth year of operations, including Challenger Series and PFL Europe, but make no mistake: Its biggest night is still its season finals.

The 2022 World Championship will take place on Friday inside Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. Two-time lightweight champion Kayla Harrison (15-0) will headline the event against Larissa Pacheco (18-4), in what Harrison says will be her final “season” appearance for the PFL. She intends to move on to more of a “superfight” schedule in 2023.

In addition to marking the conclusion of the PFL’s fourth season, with $1 million championships awarded in six weight classes, the event will also be the fight promotion’s first foray into the pay-per-view model. The PFL Championship airs on ESPN+ (main card on PPV at 8 p.m. ET, prelims at 6 p.m.).

There is a lot to look forward to on this card, a lot of questions to be answered. Here are a few key storylines.

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Resist the urge to sleep on Larissa Pacheco

Let’s be honest, it’s difficult not to. It’s impossible not to. I didn’t make it two paragraphs into this story before I mentioned that her lightweight finals opponent, Harrison, is eyeing superfights in 2023. The expectation is that Harrison will win this fight because that’s all she’s done her entire MMA career, and she’s already beaten Pacheco twice. Just cut her the $1 million check, give her the belt and move on.

But mixed martial arts loves to ruin future plans. You cannot look too far ahead in this sport. It’s no secret the PFL wants to strike a deal for Harrison to face Bellator MMA’s Cris Cyborg next year, and the promotion deserves credit for efforting that, as it’s a fight that should happen. But when something feels too obvious or almost predetermined, MMA has a way of humbling us.

Pacheco is only right now hitting her prime. She’s 28. She…