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 affix the UFC roster, the place she’s 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-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
It’s a surprising flip of occasions for Harrison, who spent her complete MMA profession with the PFL however just lately 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 formidable 16-1 report along 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 all the way down to bantamweight after spending her complete profession competing at both light-weight or featherweight. Harrison beforehand mentioned the potential transfer with MMA Preventing when contemplated her future within the sport.
“I imply, 135 will problem me in methods, like I’m going to need to lose a bit of me to have the ability to combat at 135 kilos,” Harrison mentioned this previous November. “I feel simply structurally, I carry a number of muscle. I’m already type of lean, so I’m going to need to lose muscle. I’m going to have to vary my complete life-style. I imply, I’ve already achieved that to combat at 145.
“It’s loopy what occurs while you deal with your physique and eat correctly and sleep and get well. I used to be a knucklehead once I was youthful. However I’ve religion no matter is supposed to be, shall 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 and not using a essential occasion right now.
