Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison – Early Thoughts
Kayla Harrison will make her UFC debut at UFC 300 in April against former champ Holly Holm.
The matchup has brought up a lot of discussion with thoughts on the fight ranging all over the place while bringing out positive and negative emotions.
Now that UFC president Dana White’s announcement of the fight is several days old at this point and there has time to think about the fight, let’s take a look at it.
The early thought on this matchup can be seen in the video above.
Can Kayla Harrison make weight?
Here’s probably the biggest question coming into this fight.
Anyone who has followed Harrison’s career knows that she spent most of it fighting at lightweight.
If you haven’t followed her career, yes, you read that right, she fought most of her career at 155 pounds, 20 more pounds than her scheduled bantamweight fight at UFC 300.
In 2020, Harrison did have one fight at 145 pounds, but that’s still ways away from 135.
Is Holly Holm past her prime?
Holm is now 42-years-old and very far removed from 2015 when she shocked the world by upsetting sports icon Ronda Rousey.
Since stunning win that made her the bantamweight queen, she her next four title opportunities.
Sure there have been some tough breaks and questionable scoring decision in Holm’s career which has always come the best competition, but almost every fighter can relate to that in one way or another.
Now the question is how much is left in the tank, especially after Holm last outing in which she was submitted by Mayra Bueno Silva.
One key note. Glover Teixeira won a title at 42-year-old and Holm owns two wins over current champion Raquel Pennington.
How will Harrison fair in the UFC?
Harrison has had multiple fights under belt and trains at a great gym with great coaching down at American Top Team in Florida.
She has all tools to be successful so not super much to look into here, but there is one thing to note.
The UFC is the glamour promotion in mixed martial arts and the best of the best fights in the UFC.
That isn’t meant to disrespect the PFL or Bellator or their merger or their rosters. It’s simply a fact.
Now we’ll see how Harrison’s move will play out.
Overall Thoughts
One word. Uneasy.
I’m open to changing my mind and as the fight gets closer I very well may change my mind, but right now my early thoughts are that this fight has a lot of questions marks and not good ones.
The winner of this fight at UFC 300 will put themself right into title contention so a lot is on the line and for the UFC and the fans I’m pulling for it and hope it delivers.
