Kiwi Genah Fabian books PFL playoff spot with impressive first-round KO

Genah Fabian has punched her way into the Professional Fighters League playoffs with a dominant first-round victory to stay in the hunt for the US$1 million prize.

Needing a stoppage win to clinch a spot in the final four of the women's lightweight division, the Kiwi mixed martial artist responded by knocking out American Moriel Charneski just 1 minute 42 seconds into the fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

A former Muay Thai world champion, Fabian (3-1) showcased her impressive striking skills, dropping Charneski (3-7) with a stinging left hand before finishing her on the ground with several heavy blows

"My coach called for action and I saw the opening," Fabian said. "I felt the left hand land and knew I had her. I had to land a couple more punches before the referee stepped in but that is how the game goes sometimes. 

"I knew I needed a finish tonight and it absolutely went into my game planning."

Into it's second season, the PFL is an American MMA organisation headed by Kiwi combat sports legend Ray Sefo. 

Unlike other promotions, the PFL uses a regular season format where fighters compete for points to qualify for the playoffs. The top two in each division then square off for US$1 million ($1.5m) on New Year's Eve. 

Fabian earned six points for her victory to finish third in the standings, setting up a semifinal showdown against two-time Olympic judo gold medallist and tournament favourite Kayla Harrison in October.

Harrison locked up the second seed with a first-round submission win over Morgan Frier. Top-seed and Invicta FC bantamweight champion Sarah Kaufman will meet Larissa Pacheco in the other semifinal.

Speaking before the playoff match-ups were confirmed, Fabian said she had no preference for her next opponent.

"All of them, that's what we're here to do," she said. "There's not one of them that I'm not prepared to stand across from."

This is the first year the PFL has included a women's weight class and the pressure was on Fabian to deliver after losing her season-opening bout to Canadian Bobbi Jo Dalziel in May.

But the Aucklander was always in control, establishing her superior reach early while nullifying Charneski's takedown attempts.

Now based in California, and training out of the Combat Sport Academy, Fabian is yet another top prospect to come out of the City Kickboxing gym in Auckland, where she worked alongside the likes of UFC fighters Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Shane Young and Kai Kara-France.