Despite her less than spectacular second outing in the UFC, Kayla Harrison’s coach Mike Brown believes she is set for another victorious moment. This judo Olympic gold medalist twice over has primarily reigned supreme in the PFL, winning two $1 million titles in the 155-pound category. Earlier this year, she transitioned to the UFC and initiated her journey with a second-round victory over former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
Kayla Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) made her mark from the onset, by overcoming a former champion. Simultaneously, she successfully debuted at 135 pounds – a significant drop from her regular weight class in the PFL. She exhibited real talent and adaptability to successfully compete in a new category, 20 pounds lighter than what she was accustomed to.
At UFC 307, she underwent some tense moments in the second round against Ketlen Vieira (14-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), but eventually emerged triumphant with a unanimous decision. This test of resilience, albeit challenging, demonstrated her determination and ability to perform under pressure. It shed light on the fact that her journey in the UFC had just begun and what she is capable of achieving in time.
Brown, previously WEC champion and now Harrison’s chief mentor at American Top Team, is assured that Harrison’s entry into the UFC will restore some old shine to the division. Before Harrison, the weight class has seen champions like Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington grace it. Now, Brown believes Harrison has what it takes to reinstate the division’s past glory and excitement.
‘Kayla is on a different plane compared to her contemporaries’, Brown asserts. He emphasizes her unique character and skills are needed to bring a resurgence of enthusiasm to the weight category. He cites that the talent pool may not be as diverse as other divisions but with Harrison’s charisma and distinct abilities, she stands as an outlier.
In Brown’s opinion, she’s head and shoulders above the rest of the females in the division both in terms of her performance and her persona. Her candid nature, her appearance, her capabilities all contribute to the enticement she brings to the ring. He is firm in his belief that the division can benefit from her presence, anticipating major success for her in the UFC.
In what appeared to position her as the next title contender, Harrison’s victories emerged just a few bouts before the then reigning champion, Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), won back her title via split decision against Pennington (16-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) at UFC 307 earlier this month. However, following Peña’s triumph, she overlooked Harrison’s win over Vieira, expressing instead her desire for Nunes to come out of retirement for a trilogy match.
This request came in response to an earlier upset when Peña defeated Nunes to clinch the championship title, only to lose it again in a rematch. Nunes subsequently retired, leaving both the women’s bantamweight and featherweight belts open. It seems Pena’s focus was more on a potential third match with Nunes rather than acknowledging Harrison’s recent success.
Brown, sharing Harrison’s thinking, found Peña’s lack of acknowledgment about her upcoming challenge from Kayla amusing. ‘We could hardly contain our mirth. We had suspected as much,’ admitted Brown. It suggests a belief that the other females in the bantamweight category might not be eager to square up against Kayla.
Brown further propounded, ‘I believe Kayla is positioning herself well in the bantamweight division. She’s shaping the future of the division.’ He seems confident about Harrison’s escalating prominence and her increasing influence on the shape of the division, hinting that her eventual face-off with Peña is inevitable.
At the end of the day, no matter how much one dodges, the inevitable confrontation cannot be avoided and must be confronted. The same applies to the growing anticipation of a showdown between Harrison and Peña. Brown’s sentiments are clear: sooner or later, those at the helm of the division would have to ‘face the music.’
His intended innuendo is that soon enough, Harrison’s notable rise and growing reputation within the division will become too significant to ignore. She is making her presence felt, leaving an indelible mark as she continues to climb the division. Brown, and many others, are keenly awaiting the inevitable clash between Harrison and the current champ, Peña.
As it stands today, the anticipation surrounding Kayla Harrison’s journey in the UFC is palpable not just within the circles of her coach and team but among fans as well. With every victory, she continues to cement her position, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with. Given her past performances, Brown’s belief in Harrison contending for the title and succeeding seem more plausible.
Much rests on the future moves of Penna, Nunes, and of course, Harrison. While there is continued speculation about the possible outcomes, one thing remains certain; Harrison’s journey in the UFC is just beginning. Her potential appears to be immense, and with time, she’s expected to establish herself as more than just another MMA fighter in an increasingly competitive sport.