Las Vegas, NV — Former PFL two-time champ and two-time Olympic gold medal winner in Judo, Kayla Harrisonl, will make her promotional debut on the biggest stage possible at UFC 300.
Despite cutting to 135lbs for the first time, Harrison, who stated during Wednesday’s media day that she wants to be champion by the end of the year, is “already having fun.”
“The hay is in the barn, the work is done. I get to do this. This is a thing that I chose to do. I’m not sitting behind a desk, I’m not a nurse, I’m not a doctor, I’m not a lawyer. This is my job. I’m a fighter. This is what I chose to do, and I’m very blessed to do it,” Harrison (16-1) exclaimed. “Even the sh*tty parts. It’s all part of the journey, and it’s all shaping me, molding me and forming me into the best version of myself. This is all fun for me.”
Welcoming Kayla Harrison to the UFC will be a former bantamweight champ in Holly Holm. Holm, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is a figure many consider a legend in MMA, and a future Hall of Famer there as well.
“I don’t say legend lightly. I think that it takes a special kind of person to be UFC champion, to be in the top 10 for so long, to stay relevant and to evolve as much as she’s evolved,” Harrison said in a glowing review of her opponent. “She has a super-high fight IQ, she has excellent footwork, we know that she has a striking background, but she’s evolved into a very well-rounded mixed martial artist, and I think she’s probably the toughest test in the division for me.”
With Harrison, long the biggest star in the PFL before bolting for the UFC earlier this year, questions always come down to the future. For one, there’s champ Raquel “Rocky” Pennington, who seems to prefer a fight with Julianna Pena over Harrison.
“I mean, I get it. Look, I get it. If I were Rocky, I’d fight what’s her face too. Julianna too,” stated Harrison. “Of course I’d be calling for that fight.”
Asked about possible post-fight callout plans, Harrison told Cageside Press that while winning comes first, “I think you guys all know by now that I like to talk a little bit. I just go with the flow. The adrenaline is usually pumping so much after a fight, it’s hard to shut me up. I’m excited to go talk some sh*t to Joe Rogan, let him know what’s up. It’ll be good.”
On the possibility of luring Amanda Nunes out of retirement, Harrison is eager for the bout if it does happen. “That would be fantastic. I think that, yeah, I want to fight the best. She’s the GOAT for a reason, and I would love for her to come back and get pissed off enough to want to come back. So we’ll see what happens, but first thing’s first, Saturday night, Holly Holm.”
Watch the full UFC 300 media day appearance by Kayla Harrison above.
