Kayla Harrison is lastly a UFC fighter.
On Tuesday, UFC CEO Dana White introduced that the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka and two-time PFL champion has signed an unique deal to hitch the UFC roster, the place she is going to compete as a bantamweight.
Her first project will come in opposition to former bantamweight champion Holly Holm at UFC 300, which takes place on April 13 on the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
It’s a surprising flip of occasions for Harrison, who spent her whole MMA profession with the PFL however not too long ago hit free company on the finish of her contract. PFL made makes an attempt to maintain Harrison on the roster however in the end the 33-year-old Ohio native determined to maneuver to the UFC.
Throughout her profession, Harrison has posted a powerful 16-1 report together with her solely loss coming in a call to Larissa Pacheco in 2022. Exterior of that lone setback, Harrison has been good, together with two prior wins over Pacheco in addition to a latest victory over UFC veteran Aspen Ladd.
Now she’ll make the transfer right down to bantamweight after spending her whole profession competing at both light-weight or featherweight. Harrison beforehand discussed the potential move with MMA Fighting when contemplated her future within the sport.
“I imply, 135 will problem me in methods, like I’m going to should lose a chunk of me to have the ability to combat at 135 kilos,” Harrison mentioned this previous November. “I feel simply structurally, I carry loads of muscle. I’m already sort of lean, so I’m going to should lose muscle. I’m going to have to vary my whole way of life. I imply, I’ve already performed that to combat at 145.
“It’s loopy what occurs if you care for your physique and eat correctly and sleep and recuperate. I used to be a knucklehead after I was youthful. However I’ve religion no matter is supposed to be, will probably be.”
In her bantamweight debut, Harrison clashes with Holm, a former 135-pound champion and stalwart close to the highest of the rankings within the UFC. Holm has gone 3-1 with one no contest in her previous 5 outings, together with wins over Irene Aldana, Yana Santos, and new UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington.
Harrison vs. Holm is the newest addition to the rising UFC 300 card, which stays with out a important occasion presently.
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