City Kickboxing's Genah Fabian (4-2) has fallen short in her bid to win US$1 million, losing via technical knockout in the Professional Fighters League semi-finals.
The Kiwi lightweight was matched up against undefeated American Kayla Harrison (11-0), who won Olympic judo gold in 2012 and 2016.
Harrison stalked the Auckland-native early, forcing the fight against the cage within 60 seconds. Moments later she had a dominant position on the mat after securing a trip takedown.
Fabian fought off an armbar attempt, but the pressure of Harrison was unrelenting and after a barrage of strikes, the referee called a stop to the bout at 4:01 of the first round.
The loss ends a three-fight win streak for Fabian who will now be stuck in the United States, waiting for a managed isolation spot.
The 31-year-old flew to Florida for the bout without a MIQ voucher to get back into New Zealand.
Fabian trains at Auckland's CKB gym alongside UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya under the training of Eugene Bareman.
Harrison will fight fellow American Taylor Guardado in the final later this year, with the winner to pocket US$1 million.
