Kiwi fighter Genah Fabian has advanced in her quest for a $US1 million ($NZ1.41m) payday with a dominant second-round knockout against Julijah Pajic at PFL 6 in Las Vegas on Saturday (NZ time).
The City Kickboxing product's striking was too technical and versatile for her Montenegrin opponent, as a pinpoint left hook saw her record her second win of the Professional Fighting League's regular season and book her spot in the quarter-finals of the women's lightweight division.
An emotional Fabian took a moment after her win to compose herself, before pointing towards the heavens as a tribute to teammate Fau Vake, who was tragically killed in an alleged assault in Auckland last month.
The innovative MMA competition - under president and NZ combat legend Ray Sefo - operates on a points-based system, where the top four fighters from each division move into a knockout bracket, with a $US1m cash prize on offer for the winner of the final.
Points are awarded relative to the fighter's performance, with Fabian's second-round finish earning five points, clinching a playoffs berth and keep her tournament bid alive.
In her opening fight of the season last month, Fabian eased to a dominant unanimous decision win over American Laura Sanchez.
Cousin of City Kickboxing head trainer Eugene Bareman, Fabian - a former Muay Thai world champion - recently returned to New Zealand, after several years training in Thailand and the US. She's also competed professionally in boxing and kickboxing.
The relocation home has clearly paid dividends for the 31-year-old, whose all-round MMA package has evolved considerably under bareman and his fellow trainers at Auckland's combat hotbed.
Fabian will meet double Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison in the semi-finals afer the American extended her undefeated record to 11-0, dispatching Cindy Dandois in the opening frame of the main event.
The win takes Fabian's professional MMA record to 4-1.
