KAYLA HARRISON has dismissed fan fears over her gruelling UFC 300 weight cut.
The Olympic gold medallist makes her long-awaited octagon debut on the promotion’s historic card early on Sunday morning against Holly Holm.
GETTYKayla Harrison makes her long-awaited octagon debut at UFC 300 this weekend[/caption]
PER HALJESTAM / THE SUNThe musclebound Harrison will be making her octagon by at bantamweight – a weight class she’s never competed in[/caption]
PER HALJESTAM / THE SUNThe judoka insists she’s on course to make weight[/caption]
Harrison’s octagon bow will mark her first-ever venture down to bantamweight.
The long-time lightweight is one of the most musclebound fighters on the card.
And her big frame has fans concerned about her ability to make the 136lbs non-title-fight weight limit.
But Harrison – who once claimed she’d have to cut “both my legs off to make 135lbs” – insists those fears are misplaced.
“My weight is good, everything is dialled in,” a cool, calm and confident Harrison said.
“I have a superb team behind me – Eric Pena and the UFC PI have helping out.
“My chef and nutritionist Dara has been making ridiculously delicious meals.
“I’ve been disciplined, I’ve been dedicated and it’s going to show [on the scales].”
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Harrison has well and truly been throw-in at the deep end with her match-up against former bantamweight queen Holm.
But the judoka insists she wouldn’t have it any other way.
She told SunSport during the UFC 300 media day: “Yeah, [I’m happy to be thrown in at the deep end.].
“I’m a veteran now, I’m 17 fights in and this is it. I don’t want to be given easy fights or [layups].
“I want to get in [there against the best] and I want to be UFC champion by the end of the year.”
Despite fully believing she’ll get her hands on UFC gold, Harrison is refusing to overlook the size of the task on her hands this weekend.
“I think she’s – I don’t say legend lightly,” she said of Holm. “I think it’s a special kind of person to be a UFC champion and be in the top ten for so long.
“And to stay relevant and to evolve as much as she’s evolved. She has a super high IQ and she’s got excellent footwork.
“We know that she has a striking background but she’s evolved into a very well-rounded mixed martial artist.
“She’s probably the toughest test in the division for me.”
APFormer bantamweight champion Holly Holm will welcome Kayla Harrison to the UFC[/caption]“}]]