Kayla Harrison is aware of the concerns about her move to the bantamweight division and its possible effect on her performance. Yet, as the female fighter explained, every detail of her class weight switch was assessed and tested, giving her the confidence that she could make it and succeed in the new division.
After UFC CEO Dana White announced Harrison’s entrance into the promotion’s roster, fans were quick to discuss the next big detail of the news: her move to the 135-pound class weight. Fans and pros questioned the decision, with some worrying that the required weight cut could affect her power in the cage. And for someone who had most of her fights under the 155-pound division in the past, this is indeed possible.
Harrison, however, assured fans that she and her team have made the necessary steps to make sure she would prosper in the division.
“I wouldn’t have made the move if I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it,” Harrison said in a recent interview with Kevin Iole. “We did a test cut. Everything was measured, from my heart rate to my blood pressure to my blood sugar. We did a test recovery. We did a test simulated fight. Everything has been dialed in and everything has been tested.
“I’m really confident in my team, and I’m really confident in myself. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but the things in life that are worth having are usually not easy [to obtain].”
In line with this, the former PFL female star believes that the weight shedding could lead to some benefits for her in the cage. And if she is to be asked who will prevail between her and Holly Holm in April, it would be her.
“I’m going to be the bigger, strong, faster and, in a lot of cases I believe, the more experienced fighter,” Harrison said. “It’s a case, I think, that I started off backwards, beginning [at the higher weight] but I was able to be successful because of my pedigree and the skill set that I brought to MMA. But now I have experience, and now I am seasoned.”
