UFC 300 saw the debut of former PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison. She fought the former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm in the prelims of the marquee PPV. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was coming into the company with a lot of hype behind her due to what she did both in PFL and in her Judo career.
In terms of her MMA career, Kayla held a record of 16-1 and all of her fights came for PFL. The 33-year-old made her MMA debut in 2018 and defeated Brittney Elkin via first-round submission. While Kayla had fought in the featherweight division, lightweight was her stomping ground and the Judoka was nearly unstoppable. Her only loss came against Larissa Pacheco. Before UFC 300, she defeated Aspen Ladd in her last PFL fight.
Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison is all set for her UFC debut. 👊
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 14, 2024
📺: SN360
📲: Stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/Yg4iuwPJ0x
As for her opponent Holly Holm, she had been a hit-and-miss in recent times. At the age of 42, Holm was coming off a loss to Mayra Bueno Silva which was later overturned into a no-contest after Silva tested positive for PEDs. In her last 12 bouts, Holly had won only 5 fights and had 6 losses and 1 no-contest. However, she also had an advantage over Harrison as the latter never competed in the bantamweight division. Was Holm able to take advantage? Let’s find out.
Kayla Harrison submits Holly Holm at UFC 300
Many fans wondered whether Kayla Harrison would be able to make the weight at bantamweight due to her past history of fighting nearly 20 lbs higher. However, she proved everyone wrong and weighed in at 136lbs before the fight. Although She looked quite lean, the weight cut did not seem to weaken the former 155lbs PFL champion. It was quite evident that Kayla was the stronger fighter inside the Octagon.
To the surprise of Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, Holly Holm tried to grapple with Harrison instead of trying to engage in a striking battle. Unsurprisingly, it did not go well for the “Preacher’s Daughter.” Although the former UFC female bantamweight queen was able to pull off a slick reversal after Kayla’s first takedown, the former PFL fighter soon adapted and showed who had the better-grappling pedigree.
WELCOME TO THE BIG SHOW, KAYLA HARRISON! 👏
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 14, 2024
🏅 @KaylaH with a flawless performance to get the submission in her debut! #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/DMxYGNwAIL
In the entire round 1, Harrison was on top and dominated. Round 2 did not start in a much different way either as a head kick soon floored Holm and Kayla finished off the contest with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Kayla Harrison wants to be the champion after her debut win at UFC 300
As is tradition, Kayla Harrison spoke to Joe Rogan after the contest and expressed her happiness about the win. She will find herself in the rankings at women’s bantamweight in the coming week and it will be interesting to see who the UFC pairs her up with next. As Jon Anik hinted in the commentary, UFC fans should not be surprised if they see Harrison fight for the belt before the end of 2024.
Eyes on gold 👀🏆@KaylaH knows exactly what she wants next #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/9gERAV24VC
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
However, was she surprised by the way the fight went and Holly Holm’s decision to grapple instead of strike? Talking to Rogan, Kayla added, “Yes I was. She reversed me, she didn’t just clinch with me.” However, that wasn’t it as she further added, “I want my title next Joe, that’s what I came over here for. One thing and one thing only. I don’t care if it’s Raquel, I don’t care if it’s Julianna, by the end of the year, I will be UFC champion.”
Who do you want to see her fight next? Let us know in the comments below.
