Two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Kayla Harrison, is set to make her UFC debut in a highly anticipated fight against former champion Holly Holm, a move that UFC commentator Laura Sanko believes could revitalize the women’s MMA scene.
Kayla Harrison (16-1) might not be the main event at UFC 300, but she’s the talk of the town. Her debut is causing quite a stir, and it’s happening this Saturday.
She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, and she’s already dominated the PFL. Now, she’s setting her sights on the UFC. It’s a whole new level of competition for her.
She’s dropping to 135 pounds for the first time, a significant change from her usual 155. And she’s not just dipping her toes in the water. She’s diving in headfirst with a match against former champ Holly Holm.
At 33, Harrison isn’t getting any freebies. Laura Sanko, UFC color commentator and analyst, thinks Harrison’s arrival is just what women’s MMA needs.
“Kayla Harrison coming to the UFC is a big deal,” Sanko said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. She’s a huge fan of Harrison, not just as a fighter, but as a person.
The bantamweight division needs a shakeup, and Harrison might be the one to do it. Women’s MMA in the UFC could use a breath of fresh air, and Harrison might be that breath. If she can make the weight cut and perform well, she could be a game-changer.
Bantamweight was the first UFC women’s division and was once a big deal, thanks to Ronda Rousey. But since Rousey left, it’s lost some of its shine. Amanda Nunes headlined many cards, but she didn’t have the same draw.
The bantamweight division has been pretty stagnant lately. The belt was vacant for a while after Nunes retired. Now, Raquel Pennington holds the belt, but there aren’t many new faces to challenge her. That could change if Harrison can take down Holm.
Sanko thinks Harrison has something else that’s been missing since Rousey left: mic skills.
Last weekend, Sanko and her colleagues thought the Germaine de Randamie–Norma Dumont fight could inject some life into the division. It didn’t quite work out that way. Now, they’re looking to Harrison.
Harrison’s good on the mic, which is something women’s MMA lacks. Sanko’s not a fan of trash talk, but she thinks fighters need to seize the moment when they have a mic. It’s part of the business now. If Julianna Pena and Harrison end up fighting, they could build a big fight.
Harrison’s debut is highly anticipated, but nothing is guaranteed. She’s up against a tough competitor in Holm. Still, Sanko is excited to see what Harrison can do on the big stage.
Sanko’s especially excited to see Harrison use elbows, which she wasn’t allowed to use in PFL. In her one fight at Invicta, where she was allowed to use elbows, she did some serious damage.
The stakes are high for Harrison. She wants to be the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, and to do that, she needs to succeed in the UFC.
Sanko thinks Harrison has a lot to lose if she doesn’t perform well. If she doesn’t look good at 135 or misses weight, there’s no 145. It’s high stakes for her.
Holly’s footwork and elusiveness could be a problem for Harrison. It’s a tough test for her, facing a former champ right out of the gate.
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