The highly anticipated UFC 300 card will feature a bantamweight matchup between former UFC champion Holly Holm and ex-PFL titleholder Kayla Harrison, making her promotional debut in the UFC. The fight is set to take place on the ESPN prelims of the event and has the potential to propel the winner into a title fight against current 135-pound champion Raquel Pennington. The event is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13, boasting two UFC title fights and a BMF title bout on the ESPN+ pay-per-view portion of the event.
Holly Holm, a former professional boxer, transitioned to MMA in 2013 and quickly found success in the sport. She made her UFC debut in 2015 and went on to defeat Ronda Rousey for the bantamweight title in a historic upset. However, her title reign was short-lived, and she has since gone on to have three unsuccessful title fights. Holm currently holds a record of 15-6-0-1 and is ranked No. 5 in the official UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Her upcoming fight against Harrison will be a crucial opportunity to prove herself once again in the division.
Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, made her MMA debut with PFL in 2018 and has since amassed an impressive record of 16-1. Harrison’s victories have come through a combination of knockouts, submissions, and decisions, showcasing her versatility as a fighter. Despite a lone loss in her career, Harrison has established herself as a dominant force in the sport. Her move to the UFC has generated significant excitement, and fans are eager to see how she will fare in the promotion.
Heading into the UFC 300 event, Harrison is a heavy betting favorite, with odds in her favor against Holm. The former champion opened as the underdog, but her resilience and experience in high-stakes fights cannot be discounted. One key concern ahead of the matchup is Harrison’s lack of experience fighting below 145 pounds. However, she has expressed confidence in her ability to make the weight cut successfully and perform at her best on fight night. The clash between these two talented fighters is expected to be a highlight of the event.
The potential implications of the Holm vs. Harrison fight extend beyond just a victory for either athlete. With the winner likely to secure a title shot against Raquel Pennington, the stakes are high for both fighters. Pennington has expressed her preference for a title defense against Julianna Peña, citing the importance of fighters who have worked their way up through the ranks. However, the UFC’s tendency to fast-track high-profile athletes like Harrison could lead to a different outcome. The outcome of the fight at UFC 300 could significantly impact the future of the women’s bantamweight division.
UFC CEO Dana White has high expectations for UFC 300, predicting that the event will break records at the T-Mobile Arena. The stacked fight card includes exciting matchups such as Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes, Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano, Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez, and Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt. As the event draws closer, fans and fighters alike are gearing up for an unforgettable night of action-packed bouts and potential history-making moments in the Octagon.
