The UFC women’s bantamweight division has the potential to get hit with a splash of intrigue at UFC 300 in April.
That would be the best-case scenario, anyway. Therefore, the promotion’s newest big-name acquisition Kayla Harrison will have to get the job done against the division’s former champion, Holly Holm.
The debut will be more than just Harrison’s first fight in the octagon overall, but the PFL staple has never fought south of 145 pounds in her 17-fight career (16-1). As much of a hurdle as many are expecting the weight cut to be for the former two-time PFL lightweight champion, the difference in competition level and experienced fighters is a noteworthy factor. Current UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington is no stranger to Holm as an opponent as the two have fought twice with Holm winning each encounter. “Rocky” expects there to be an adjustment period for the two-time Olympic gold medalist Judoka Harrison in the premier MMA organization.
“I feel like, as far as coming into the UFC, a lot of athletes haven’t truly been challenged, and I feel like she hasn’t truly been challenged in the PFL,” Pennington told Sirius XM’s Unlocking the Cage. “To now come in and have this platform, that’s going to give her a run for her money for sure. She has a huge hype following her, but I think she’s going to be exposed a little bit. First and foremost, the hardest part of this is making the weight.”
Holm remains a fixture atop the 135-pound weight class despite being 42 years old. Always known for her great striking game with her boxing and kickboxing backgrounds, Holm suffered an initial setback against Mayra Bueno Silva via a second-round guillotine choke in her last time out this past July. However, the result was overturned to a no contest after Bueno Silva failed a drug test for Ritalin.
Outside of a closely contested split decision loss to Ketlen Vieira, Holm has remained consistent in her performances going back to her last title fight against Amanda Nunes in 2019. As the only person to fight Holm twice in her career, Pennington sees the dangers for Harrison in the matchup.
“I feel like Holly is at a point in her career where she’s older, and I don’t mean that in any bad way, but things get tough when you get older as an athlete,” Pennington said. “It takes a different toll on your body and stuff, and she’s been around for a very long time. I feel like her last few fights, she hasn’t had that ‘it’ anymore. She’s been battling different injuries and stuff, and it just feels like she’s on her way out. But I feel like if Holly actually brings back the Holly that first came into the UFC and strikes with Kayla, it’s not going to go Kayla’s direction at all.”
TOP STORIES
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Top Finishes from UFC Vegas 85 Fighters.
Dober’s highlights.
Full (title) fight.
Fancy counter arm triangle defense.
Almighty Cooking Blighty.
LISTEN UP
No Bets Barred. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss if UFC Vegas 85 will kick off the year of Georgian MMA.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
True.
What a quote from Cory Sandhagen on The MMA Hour:
“A lot of people watch sports for the beauty of it and a lot of people watch sports for the drama of it and it’s easier to understand drama than it is to understand beauty”
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 31, 2024
Yes.
Have you ever struggled with your downtime, thinking you need to do something productive?
When your mind is tunnel-visioned on accomplishing your goals, you’re always on the go. For me, it got to the point where I got anxious when I was doing nothing. I could just be relaxing.
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) January 31, 2024
Simmer.
Let it simmer before we boil!! #patientlywaiting pic.twitter.com/VX92rJ2Yd3
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 31, 2024
Hopefully.
Many have asked why @criscyborg v @lpacchec not part of Champs v Champs …
Fight just not come together in time, but don’t worry, it will happen!
Cyborg v Pacheco
Bellator Champ v PFL Champ
#1 world v #2 world2024 – Our Best Year Ever #PFL #Bellator #PFLvsBellator
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) January 31, 2024
I believe @lpacchec has a great manager in @Alexdavismma and that working together with my team we will be able to give the fans this fight at some point.
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) January 31, 2024
I don’t know why I keep torturing myself with looking at these tweets.
you’re the only person who thinks they’re “hunting” when their contact has a right to match.
You decided to become the champion of Ultimate Weight Cutting so you could avoid the fight.
If it walks like a
Sounds like a
Talks like a pic.twitter.com/cxKHUJJjtc— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) January 31, 2024
If you say so.
#UFC298 is safe pic.twitter.com/ts1VpAihiW
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 31, 2024
Are we really surprised?
I’m coming out of retirement. I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now.
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
Poster drop.
Respect the Luke.
Luke Rockhold kicks the hardest out of all the UFC and Karate Combat champs that have kicked me. Ross Levine scored the second highest. pic.twitter.com/t7vcaVkFBQ
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) February 1, 2024
Tease?
Izzy vs. Du Plessis at UFC 300? pic.twitter.com/68UY4vs9Z0
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) February 1, 2024
Waiting.
I don’t sleep, I wait. https://t.co/XF1Uf8Ev4H
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) February 1, 2024
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Payton Talbott (7-0) vs. Cameron Saaiman (9-1); UFC Vegas 89, March 23
Jhonata Diniz (6-0) vs. Austen Lane (12-4, 1 NC); UFC Fight Night, April 27
EXIT POLL
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