Kayla Harrison on Joining The UFC: ‘My Time Is Now’
Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Kayla Harrison: “I’m coming for UFC gold”
Kayla Harrison makes her UFC debut this April at UFC 300, stepping into the Octagon against Holly Holm.
After an incredibly successful five-year run with the PFL, Harrison (16-1) now looks to add another chapter to her legacy in the UFC. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time PFL champion, but dominating in the Octagon is the one element still eluding her masterful career.
“I want to be the best,” said Harrison. “I’m in the right spot at the right time with the right people around me. My time is now.”
For Harrison, it was imperative that she compete in the UFC, especially while she is still in the prime of her career.
“I’m 33, and I said from the beginning I didn’t want to do this forever,” said Harrison. “This is one of the last contracts I sign, and I don’t like to live my life with regrets. I didn’t want to look back years from now and regret that I never took a shot at the UFC.
“I’m a two-time Olympic champion, I’m a world champion, I’m a two-time PFL champion. I’m very happy with everything I accomplished in my career. I’m at peace with it, and there is one more thing I want to do. I’m coming for UFC gold.”
Harrison is a two-time Olympic gold medalist
Many in the sport believed Harrison had one more fight remaining of her PFL contract, so UFC CEO Dana White’s announcement that she had signed with the UFC–and will compete at UFC 300–came as a major surprise.
While the conventional wisdom pointed at Harrison’s next bout being against Cris Cyborg later this month, that is not the case. Instead, she will need step inside the Octagon in April against Holm.
“There’s no ill will [with the PFL],” said Harrison. “I just have to do what is best for me and my career.
“I do feel like I helped build the company, and created a legacy there and shattered some ceilings. All the people who helped make that organization what it is, I grew up with them. I’m super proud of what we built.”
After fighting in the PFL at lightweight, this will mark Harrison’s first-ever bout at bantamweight. She is opposed by Holm (15-6, 1 NC), a former champion of the division who famously knocked out Ronda Rousey.
Holm’s famed victory against Rousey is rapidly approaching nine years ago, and Holm has since lost six of her last 11. Now 42, Holm remains a tremendous boxer, but this should be a bout that favors Harrison.
“Holly is the hardest fight in the division for me,” said Harrison. “She’s one of the best, her fight IQ is off the charts, she’s technical and tactical, her footwork keeps getting better and better. I’m excited to fight her. I’m going to f------ leave it all in there.
“I’m honored to be on such a historic card. I equate UFC to the Olympics. There is no bigger stage. There is no bigger risk, but there is no bigger reward, either. I couldn’t be more excited.”
The PFL wins either way, but Bellator ready to dominate
The champions of PFL and Bellator square off in a highly anticipated fight card on February 24.
Am I crazy to think we’re going to see a clean sweep from Bellator?
Courtesy PFL
Take a look at that fight card. Where does it favor anyone from the PFL?
Ryan Bader should be the favorite against Renan Ferreira. Johnny Eblen, who may very well be the best middleweight in the world, should beat Impa Kasanganay. Patrício “Pitbull” Freire needs to put an end to a two-fight losing streak in his bout against Jesus Pinedo. Ray Cooper III will have his hands full with Jason Jackson, who just gave Yarsolav Amosov the first loss of his career, and Vadim Nemkov (against Bruno Cappelozza), Yoel Romero (against Thiago Santos), AJ McKee (against Clay Collard), and Aaron Pico (against Gabriel Alves Braga) are all expected to emerge with the win.
These fights will reaffirm what many already knew–Bellator had the superior fighters. But even if there is a clean sweep, which would be quite a moment, these are all PFL fighters now. In the end, no matter who is victorious in the cage, the PFL wins.
Despite the brand being a thing of the past, this feels like it is going to be one final, emphatic statement for Bellator.
