Kayla Harrison has accepted her second assignment in the UFC.
Harrison (17-1), the former two-time PFL women’s lightweight champ and two-time Olympic gold medal winner, now competing as a bantamweight, will face Ketlen Vieira (14-3) at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024.
News of the booking was first reported by Super Lutas’ Léo Guimaraes. Harrison confirmed the news on social media shortly thereafter.
Harrison arrived in the UFC with a splash, making her debut at UFC 300 opposite Holly Holm. She won the bout via submission in a dominant performance against the former champion.
Many consider Harrison a future champion in the UFC, thanks to her Olympic pedigree that saw her twice earn gold in Judo, as well as her dominant run in the PFL. The biggest question ahead of Harrison’s arrival was her weight, given she had never before competed in MMA below 145lbs. Having made 135 against Holm, however, those concerns appear to have been addressed.
Ketlen Vieira enters the fight with Holm off a win over Pannie Kianzad, in a bounce back fight following her loss to Raquel Pennington in January 2023. Vieira has circled the title picture for some time, but has been unable to land a title shot just yet. A win over Harrison could earn just that.
Julianna Pena is widely expected to receive the next shot against Pennington, who claimed 135lb gold in January at UFC 297. The winner of Vieira vs. Harrison is almost certainly next, with Vieira #2 in the weight class, and Harrison one spot behind her.
UFC 307 has been rumored to feature Pennington vs. Pena, though that has not yet been confirmed. The following bouts have been reported for the October 5 PPV event:
- Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo
- César Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria
- Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland
- José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
- Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
- Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira
