LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: Kayla Harrison reacts to the top of the spherical in a bantamweight battle … [+]
There's a great likelihood the UFC matchmakers will stroll away from tonight's UFC 307 battle card realizing who will subsequent compete for the UFC girls's bantamweight title.
The night time's co-main occasion between champion Raquel Pennington and former titleholder Julianna Pena will decide who will maintain the ladies's bantamweight belt. Meanwhile, earlier on the pay-per-view card, Ketlen Vieira and Kayla Harrison will compete for the prospect to battle for that title. Viera, who joined the UFC in October 2016, is the No. 2 ranked fighter within the 135-pound division. Harrison, who made her UFC debut in April of this 12 months, is the No. 3 fighter within the official UFC rankings.
Harrison has a historical past of successful. Before her journey into MMA, she gained two Olympic gold medals in judo, competing within the 2012 and 2016 Olympic video games. When she jumped to MMA in 2018, it did not take Harrison lengthy to assert a title, successful the PFL girls's light-weight match and $1 million with a choice victory over Larissa Pacheco in her seventh professional battle.
Harrison moved to 12-0 two years later with a win within the 2021 PFL girls's light-weight match.
Harrison's excellent run in MMA ended within the remaining of the 2022 PFL girls's light-weight match when Pacheco defeated her by way of determination.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Opponents Ketlen Vieira of Brazil and Kayla Harrison face … [+]
Today, Harrison is 17-1. Her UFC debut was a second-round submission victory over former UFC girls's bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Harrison is very large favourite to defeat Vieira on the UFC 307 pay-per-view card.
With her background and dominance in her earlier fights, Harrison has 13 finishes as an MMA competitor. She's additionally unafraid to point out a brash facet on the mic, one thing she displayed when requested who she want to face sooner or later.
“Fill in the blank,” Harrison said at the UFC 307 press convention. “It doesn't matter. It's only a matter of time. I'm the uncrowned queen. First, Saturday night, I smash Ketlen, and then I come for my title. Enjoy it while you can, ladies.”
In brief, Harrison is a marketable commodity. As good as Harrison has appeared, there are some areas of concern concerning how lengthy she is going to hold preventing. Not solely is Harrison 34, however she has by no means made the championship bantamweight restrict of 135 kilos, and the 2 occasions she hit 136 kilos, Harrison appeared depleted, which isn't a shock since she started her MMA profession competing at 155 kilos.
Harrison might have the potential to be a dominant champion alongside the strains of Ronda Rousey (six title defenses) or Amanda Nunes (5 title defenses in her first title reign and one in her second stint as champion). The UFC brass is probably going hoping to get the chance to search out out what sort of champ Harrison can change into.
UFC 307 takes place on Saturday, October 5, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The primary card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
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