Kayla Harrison is set to compete for UFC gold for the first time this Saturday, challenging Julianna Pena for the women’s bantamweight championship at UFC 316, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. A key focus leading up to the bout has been Harrison`s requirement to hit the exact 135-pound championship weight limit, unlike her previous UFC appearances where a one-pound allowance was permitted.
Concerns about her ability to make the bantamweight mark arose when the longtime face of the PFL transitioned to the UFC. Although she successfully weighed in for her wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira, those were non-title fights with the extra pound allowance. Now facing the necessity of cutting that final pound, many speculate it could pose a significant challenge both on the scale and during the fight itself.
Harrison dismissed these worries, stating she believes the issue is being “overblown.” She emphasized her rigorous discipline and the effectiveness of her “excellent team,” detailing their meticulous approach involving monitoring body fat, calories, and water intake. “There’s a sweet science to it,” Harrison remarked. “And I’m right on track, and I trust God and I trust the process, and we’re all going to see [on Friday].”
Having spent the majority of her career fighting at lightweight, where she secured PFL championship titles in 2019 and 2021, Harrison only rarely competed outside that division prior to the UFC. These instances included a featherweight bout and a 150-pound catchweight contest.
Despite immense success in the PFL, Harrison harbored a long-standing desire to compete for a UFC title. With the dissolution of the women’s featherweight division in the UFC, the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist faced the necessity of adapting her lifestyle to make the bantamweight division work. Harrison sees the sacrifices she is making now as crucial for building a lasting legacy in combat sports.
Reflecting on the process, Harrison candidly stated, “I don’t believe in weight cutting, I don’t believe that this is the best decision for me, but I do believe that the sacrifice is worth the reward.” She admitted it is “not fun, it’s not enjoyable, it’s not pleasant,” but is propelled by an “internal drive” and a clear goal to reach her highest potential, viewing the challenge as integral to her journey.
She recalled her initial apprehension before signing with the UFC, being scared because she had never made the weight before. She saw it as a challenge for personal growth. Harrison openly shared that she hasn`t always been strictly disciplined with her diet, humorously mentioning winning the Olympics while consuming “Pizza Rolls and Diet Coke and Oreos.”
Having left home at a young age (15) to live in a judo training environment in Boston, she noted that nutrition was less of a focus in those years compared to today. She now views the current demanding process as an “opportunity for me to grow and be even more disciplined and be refined in the fire.”
