Kayla Harrison was prepared for a title shot after making her debut at UFC 300, but when she has to win yet another struggle to get there, so be it.
The previous PFL champion—presently No. 1 at 135 kilos within the MMA Preventing World Rankings—believed her second bout within the UFC might have gold on the road however ultimately the matchmakers determined to pit bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington in opposition to Julianna Peña within the UFC 307 co-main occasion. Harrison now faces Ketlen Vieira on the identical card and he or she plans on sending each champion and challenger a somewhat emphatic message come Oct. 5.
“I imply, look, I’m not essentially the most affected person particular person,” Harrison informed MMA Preventing. “I really feel like that has all the time been a wrestle for me. Like I would like it and I would like it on my time. I would like once I say I would like it, not for me, God’s time. So I used to be hopeful — I simply really feel prepared. I’m prepared. I’m prepared for everybody within the division. I’m able to go on the market and show that I’m the most effective on this planet and I need to be UFC champion.
“Having stated that, I believe that lots of people needed me to struggle for the title, however from what I perceive, Dana [White] is a person of his phrase and he made a promise to Julianna so it’s her flip now. Whoever wins that struggle, get pleasure from it whilst you can. That’s all I’ve acquired to say about that.”
With regards to that matchup, Harrison doesn’t actually care who wins as long as she will get the following title shot, though stylistically she barely favors Peña in that regard.
On the identical time, the two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo acknowledges that Peña’s prolonged layoff — she hasn’t fought in almost two and a half years — might play an element within the end result of the struggle.
“I simply assume for me, I have a tendency lean in the direction of the grappler-heavy type,” Harrison defined. “So I do know Julianna’s just a little bit extra of a grappler, I’d say than Raquel. Raquel’s simply [a] robust, sturdy, boxer. She’s respectable in every single place however her energy is extra in her placing and her soiled boxing. I’d say Julianna’s energy is extra in her grappling so I are likely to lean in the direction of the grapplers.
“Having stated that, I believe this can be a 50/50 struggle. Julianna hasn’t fought in so lengthy. Ring rust in an actual factor, for my part. Raquel is champion of the world and while you’re champion of the world, that offers you a sure confidence in your self and your abilities and your staff. Make no mistake, stepping right into a cage and locking the door is f*cking terrifying. The psychological facet of this sport is a lot greater than I believe individuals can course of. Being a champion, I believe makes a distinction.”
Even earlier than she signed with the UFC as one of many greatest free brokers within the sport, Harrison had already exchanged quite a lot of phrases with Peña by interviews and over social media.
Peña has made inflammatory statements about Harrison together with an accusation that Harrison has used performance-enhancing medication. Harrison has by no means examined constructive for a banned substance and he or she vehemently identified that she’s endured a lifetime of drug testing as a member of the U.S. Olympic judo staff by two separate cycles throughout eight years.
As a result of the disagreement between them has turned nasty at occasions, Harrison admits it will be extra gratifying to take the title from Peña if that’s the way it all performs out, however she actually received’t scoff at going through Pennington if she’s nonetheless the champion after UFC 307.
“I imply pay attention, would I somewhat put an elbow by Julianna’s cranium or Raquel’s cranium — Julianna, on a regular basis of the week that ends in ‘Y,’” Harrison stated. “However no emotion.
“That is my job. That is what I do. I’ll struggle whoever’s in entrance of me. However having stated that, yeah, for positive I’d undoubtedly get pleasure from [beating Peña]. That may be an excellent evening for me.”