Kayla Harrison’s UFC debut was nothing short of impressive, as the former two-time Olympic judo champion dominated former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300. Harrison showcased her skills by securing a rear-naked choke submission victory over Holm at 1 minute and 47 seconds of the second round. Her performance left no doubt that she is a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
In her postfight interview, Harrison made it clear that her goal is to become the UFC champion. She stated, “I want my title next. That’s what I came over here for — one thing and one thing only. By the end of the year, I will be UFC champion.” This bold declaration highlights Harrison’s confidence and determination to achieve greatness in the sport of MMA.
Throughout the fight, Harrison’s dominance was evident. She utilized her judo background to take down Holm in the first round and delivered punishing ground-and-pound strikes, including elbows that were not permitted in her previous promotion, PFL. Harrison’s striking superiority was demonstrated by her significant outlanding of Holm 51-2, with a staggering 46-1 advantage in the first round.
Harrison’s transition to the UFC was seamless, despite the challenge of cutting weight to compete at bantamweight for the first time in her MMA career. Her successful weight cut demonstrated her commitment to meeting the requirements of the promotion and pursuing her goal of becoming a champion in the UFC.
With her victory over Holly Holm, Kayla Harrison has established herself as a contender in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Her dominant performance and unwavering confidence signal that she is a force to be reckoned with in the octagon. As Harrison sets her sights on the title, the MMA world eagerly anticipates her future matchups and the potential for her to achieve her goal of becoming the UFC champion.