SUMMARY
- Dana White announced that Kayla Harrison will be making her debut at UFC 300.
- In an interview with TMZ, she talked about beating Khabib Nurmagomedov in a judo match.
The UFC president, Dana White, was proud to announce the signing and debut of PFL star Kayla Harrison to the UFC. Harrison is a former two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion and an Olympic champion in judo. She is scheduled to face former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and veteran Holly Holm for her debut at the historic UFC 300 main card in April this year.
This would also mark her debut in the bantamweight division, having previously only competed in lightweight and featherweight. Many believe it should be a comfortable victory for the PFL champion and could set up a possible super fight against UFC women’s division GOAT Amanda Nunes. The two have been linked in the past and also share a rivalry rumored around the American Top Team.
Harrison’s name has also been associated in the past with UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. She stated in an interview with TMZ, “Do you think I’m going to beat Khabib? He is 155 pounds. I mean, I think I would beat him in a judo match, for sure. A hundred percent, I would beat Khabib”.
This was when Kayla claimed the possibility of beating the Russian and also called herself his better version. Although she specified that it would be in a judo match in which she held two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016.
Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Kayla Harrison titling her “best in the world”
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been quite impressed by Kayla’s career and even went on to highly praise the former PFL champion. Nurmagomedov stated, “I think (Kayla Harrison is) like best in the world. I just think like, ‘Who can beat her?’ I don’t think someone can beat her”. He further claimed that no one in the PFL had the potential to beat the Judo champion and greatly admired her fighting style.
The Eagle has high praise for Kayla Harrison 😤 #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/8d798puHGd
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 19, 2021
This was during the time she was set to face Genah Fabian at the PFL Playoffs. Khabib has always been great with his sports analysis and prediction and shares a good knowledge of combat sports. Harrison has also been admiring Khabib’s journey and considers him to be a role model.
Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison at UFC 300
Kayla Harrison is set to make her debut against a veteran Holly Holm and could be tested on the grandest stage of combat sports. Although going in as a favorite, a new weight class would add to the difficulty for the PFL star. Holm, having fought many times in the division and being a former champion, could pose a threat to Kayla’s legacy.
Breaking: Kayla Harrison will make her UFC debut against Holly Holm at UFC 300, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/qs5jdGPNM6
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 24, 2024
Also taking into consideration the resume of the 42-year-old mixed martial artist, including names such as Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and current champion Raquel Pennington, gives her an array of experience advantages. We are yet to see how the Judo champion transits into a new world and makes an impact towards the next gold in her journey.
