Many are doubting Kayla Harrison’s move to the bantamweight, but UFC CEO Dana White has a bold claim, saying the new UFC fighter has done it before “a couple of times.”
Harrison’s move to the UFC is not the only huge highlight of the news this week; her move to bantamweight also sent fans into a frenzy. However, some professionals view the move as a huge challenge for the female fighter, with some expressing doubt that Harrison could make it.
This should be at 145 https://t.co/ZyBRCURxDH
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) January 24, 2024
Kayla isn’t making 135 people… 145lb title and maybe this is the reason Amanda Nunes is considering a comeback. What bigger fight than two training partners for a 145lb title.
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) January 24, 2024
White, however, is confident that the former PFL talent will be able to make the weight before she makes her UFC debut versus Holly Holm at UFC 300 on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. According to the executive, the fighter already managed to attain the weight in the past.
“She’s already made 135 a couple of times,” White said this Wednesday.
Other professionals in the industry believe that it is possible but noted that it would be a challenging road for Harrison. If it comes out as a success, however, there could be other changes that might happen with the weight loss, including her strength. For Megan Anderson, who faced Holm in 2018, if the weight cut has some effects on her strength, it would be an issue for Harrison.
“Will her strength still be there dropping to a much lower weight class she’s never fought before?” posted Anderson on X. “Holly, to this day, is legit THE strongest opponent I’ve fought – she’s insanely strong and could give Kayla some issues.
“Harrison’s striking: It’s been her weaker point to her game as she’s transitioned to MMA understandably, and she’s had some issues being able to close the range. Holly is a master at range control, which could give Kayla issues… I don’t think people should be counting Holm out, though, because of her age – she’s still world-class!”
Alan Jouban is also one of the personalities questioning the bout’s class weight. Yet. for the retired fighter, it would be a reward for the promotion in case Harrison succeeds in making it to 135, given the unsatisfying state of the division nowadays. To recall, the class weight just gained a new champ at UFC 297 last weekend, but many were unimpressed between the Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva fight.
If Kayla can make 135, and make it consistently. This is exactly what the division needed right now. Someone who could be dominant and bring interest to the fights. The weight though??
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 24, 2024
