Credit: X
UFC President Dana White announced signing two-time Olympic gold meda l list Kayla Harrison as the newest addition to the UFC roster. The two-time PFL champion signed an exclusive deal with the UFC, where she will fight in the bantamweight category. The judo star, who won Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016, is set to make her promotion debut against the former 135-pound champion Holly Holm.
Also read: Dana White announces first ever Chinese vs Chinese title fight in UFC 300
Harrison will participate in her first fight at the historic UFC 300 event, which is slated to be hosted on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During her career, the 33-year-old posted an impressive 16-1 record, having recorded her only loss to Larissa Pacheco in 2022. Holm, on the other hand, was last seen in action during her fight against Mayra Bueno Silva in July at UFC Fight Night.
In 2015, Holm beat the then-undefeated UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey to claim the bantamweight belt.
Dana White announces Kayla Harrison’s UFC debut at UFC 300
UFC boss Dana White confirmed the signing with the Olympic gold medallist in a video. White said, “Holly Holm, she was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022. In the history of the women’s [UFC] bantamweight division, she is tied for fourth most wins, sixth most significant strikes landed and has the fourth-best takedown defence at 78%. Holly Holm is one of the baddest women to ever compete in combat sports, ever. She’s fought all the nastiest women in the world in boxing and in MMA, except for one.”
He added, “Holly will be taking on the only person in US history to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in judo. The UFC has officially signed Kayla Harrison. Kayla is 16-1 with 12 finishes, her takedowns, her ground and pounds are nasty. This will be the first time she will be competing at bantamweight.”
