Tag: Kayla Harrison

PFL CEO Donn Davis accuses Kayla Harrison of running from Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco fights

Donn Davis continues to express his frustration toward Kayla Harrison’s departure from PFL.

[autotag]Donn Davis[/autotag] continues to express his frustration towards [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]’s departure from PFL.

Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) signed with the UFC in early 2024, and made big waves in her octagon debut. She dominated Holly Holm en route to a Round 2 submission in the promotion’s historic UFC 300 event in April.

The PFL CEO wanted to see Harrison stick around to try and avenge her setback to Larissa Pacheco, who handed her the first loss of her career. Harrison had already beaten Pacheco twice before.

After PFL acquired Bellator, Davis was also excited at the possibility of matching Harrison up with Bellator champion Cris Cyborg, but Harrison opted to sign with the UFC.

“We brought Kayla into MMA from the Olympics, developed her into an 18-1 star, two-time champion, and one of the greatest women, top five in the sport today,” Davis told MMA Today. “(I have) nothing but pride for that and nothing but respect for Kayla as a competitor. To build the company, I want every great fighter here.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t keep Kayla here for, what I think, are the two biggest fights of her legacy and her career: avenging Pacheco and winning the championship, and beating Cyborg, who is the greatest ever. I think those are the two toughest fights ahead of Kayla. I don’t like that she ran from those. I don’t like that she ran to a brand to validate herself. I think so highly of Kayla Harrison. She doesn’t need a brand to validate her. She’s that great. .. So that disappointed me.”

Harrison will look to emerge as No. 1 contender at bantamweight when she takes on Ketlen Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) main card at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 full pre-fight press conference faceoffs: Two title fights, Kayla Harrison, Jose Aldo, more

The entire stacked UFC 307 main card lineup squared up for the first time on fight week after the pre-fight press conference.

SALT LAKE CITY – Stars of UFC 307 came face-to-face for the first time during fight week Thursday following the pre-fight press conference.

With fight week festivities ramping into high gear, fighters took the stage to answer questions from the media, then faced off for the first time ahead of the event which takes place at Delta Center (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).

In addition to the [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] and [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] title fights, other matchups of [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag], [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] also were in attendance and participated in staredowns.

Watch the video above to see the full press conference faceoffs ahead of UFC 307.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307’s Ketlen Vieira says Kayla Harrison ‘has not proven herself’

Ketlen Vieira doesn’t think Kayla Harrison has been properly tested.

SALT LAKE CITY – [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] doesn’t think [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] has been properly tested.

Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) meets two-time PFL lightweight champion Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) main card at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Harrison is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka. She ran through Holly Holm in her octagon debut, and is oozing confidence ahead of UFC 307. Vieira however, doesn’t think Harrison’s hype is quite warranted just yet.

“As far as Kayla, listen: It carries a good name in judo,” Vieira told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “I do believe that she hasn’t been proven in MMA.

“A lot of people tend to confuse things, and I think she has not proven herself. She’s had one fight right now (in the UFC). I feel really prepared about this and I think this is the time. I feel confident that this is the fight that will take me to the title shot.”

Harrison said she thinks she can beat bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington, title challenger Julianna Peña, and Vieira all in one night. Vieira thinks she’s delusional.

“I think she needs to pinch herself or somebody needs to pinch her to see if she’s dreaming or something, because I just don’t understand where this is coming from,” Vieira said. “I think she’s an athlete that’s so dependent specifically on the ground game.

“But listen, I can strike with the best. I’m not sure she can do something like that. I have wrestled against someone who has an Olympic medal. I’ve done jiu-jitsu with the best. I think that I do all those things. I don’t think she can.”

Harrison is heavily being touted as the next title challenger if she gets past Vieira. The Brazilian expects the same treatment.

“I think I’ve been on the cusp of this for such a long time, and I’ve been in this position for quite some time,” Vieira said. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, it just never happened. I fought Sara (McMann) coming off of three wins, and I thought after this, I’m fighting for a title. I didn’t get that.

“(I) fought Cat Zingano, who beat Amanda Nunes, and thought, ‘Well this is for a title shot.’ It never happened again. It’s been since 2018 that I’ve been at this, just battling for it, and I believe everything happens for a reason. There’s not my time – it’s God’s time, and things are happening because they need to happen.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Carla Esparza brings the family for one last ride into the sunset

In Episode 4 of “Embedded,” Carla Esparza brings her husband, son and coach to a pumpkin patch to unwind during her retirement fight week.

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Raquel Pennington and her family arrive in Salt Lake City for fight week; Carla Esparza visits a pumpkin patch; Jose Aldo flies in from Brazil; UFC 307 athletes begin fight week check ins; Champ Alex Pereira trains at The Pit SLC; Julianna Peña gets in a pads and grappling session; Khalil Rountree Jr. and coach John Wood focus on striking.

Previous UFC 307 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Kayla Harrison ‘can’t be stopped’ entering UFC 307, says title reign is ‘inevitable’

Kayla Harrison has zero doubt she could fight and beat Ketlen Vieira, Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington all on Saturday at UFC 307.

SALT LAKE CITY – [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] would prefer to fight for the women’s bantamweight title on Saturday at UFC 307, but she has put faith in the UFC’s handling of her career.

Former two-time PFL season champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will make her second octagon appearance when she takes on perennial contender Ketlen Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) at Delta Center (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+). The fight takes place just two bouts prior to a divisional title contest, with champion Raquel Pennington set to take on Julianna Peña.

Although Harrison has felt ready to fight for gold since prior to her debut win against Holly Holm at UFC 300 in July, she is embracing the process of being built up as a promotional entity.

“I get it,” Harrison told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “I’m the new kid on the block. I still have some proving of myself to do. But all good. All good.”

Anticipation is one of the great things in life, and Harrison thinks a dominant performance against Vieira will lead to a groundswell of excitement to face whoever wins between Pennington and Peña.

Harrison said there is already demand for her to fight for the belt, and if she could do that on Saturday, too, she absolutely would.

“It’s kind of what fans want, and it’s inevitable,” Harrison said. “I want to fight for the title, and I want to be UFC champion. Julianna has been gifted a title shot, so I’m going to smash Ketlen’s skull, and then I would happily walk out after I beat Ketlen and fight both of those girls. I think I can beat all three girls in the same night. I believe I’m the best in the world and when you’re the best in the world, you can’t be stopped.”

Unless something changes at the last minute, Harrison will be fighting Vieira at UFC 307. The Brazilian has faced almost all of the division’s best over her career, but Harrison doesn’t think Vieira is prepared for the force that’s about to come her way.

“The goal is always to go out there and dominate and install my will three hard rounds, one minute at a time,” Harrison said. “One exchange at a time. One breath at a time. But of course, I’m looking for the TKO, KO or submission.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Julianna Peña pampers herself before fight week ramps up

In Episode 3 of “Embedded,” Julianna Peña makes sure she looks and feels good heading into UFC 307 fight week. She also gets a big surprise.

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Khalil Rountree Jr. goes for a run and has a night time training session; Carla Esparza prepares for her retirement fight; Kayla Harrison has a striking session; Champ Alex Pereira shows off the views from his AirBnB; Julianna Peña arrives in Salt Lake City for fight week.

Previous UFC 307 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Henry Cejudo: Kayla Harrison ‘could be in trouble’ if Ketlen Vieira can keep UFC 307 fight standing

Henry Cejudo thinks Ketlen Vieira could pose problems for Kayla Harrison on the feet.

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] believes [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] could pose problems for [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] on the feet.

Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) meets Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a pivotal bantamweight clash Saturday at UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) from Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Harrison is a massive -800 favorite over Vieira, according to DraftKings, but if she can’t get the fight to the ground, Cejudo sees a path to victory for the Brazilian.

“It’s hard to bet against a girl like Kayla Harrison,” Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “But I think out of all the girls right now at 135 pounds that could match her strength, because you know Vieira’s a judo blackbelt, as well, and in my opinion she has better hands than Harrison. So it’s going to come down to the wrestling.

“And I do feel like Kayla Harrison is going to bring the wrestling in, and that’s just what’s going to change it. But if Vieira can keep it on her feet, I think Kayla could be in trouble, dude. Her striking is no joke, man. She trains out there with Jose Aldo. If Kayla cannot take her down, it’s going to lean more towards Vieira’s side.”

Although Cejudo sees Viera as Harrison’s toughest stylistic matchup at bantamweight, he ultimately went with the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka as his final pick.

“But because of the wrestling, I got to go with the two-time Olympic champ,” Cejudo concluded. “I don’t want to go against Kayla, dealing with her is a f*cking pain, dude. There’s too much ego between both of us combined. So, I’m going to have to go with the two-time Olympic champion, because of the wrestling. Not because of the judo, because of the wrestling.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: Roman Dolidze devastates training partner with knee to body

On the second episode of UFC 307 “Embedded,” Roman Dolidze’s training partner pays the price.

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Stephen Thompson plays disc golf; Khalil Rountree Jr. has dinner and trains with his team; Julianna Peña has a sparring session run by Champ Belala Muhammad; Kayla Harrison goes on a hike in the mountains; Roman Dolidze wraps up his camp; Champ Alex Pereira goes to Oktoberfest.

Previous UFC 307 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Kayla Harrison: Julianna Peña ‘trying to avoid the inevitable’ by calling out Amanda Nunes

Kayla Harrison thinks Julianna Peña wants nothing to do with her.

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] believes [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] wants nothing to do with her.

Peña (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Peña said she plans on dethroning Pennington then luring [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] out of retirement so they can complete their trilogy. Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who meets Ketlen Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) on the same night, expects to emerge as No. 1 contender with a win, but she doesn’t see Peña fighting her if she becomes champion.

“I think that Julianna, if she wins this fight against Raquel, is probably going to try and be inactive and push to have Amanda come back,” Harrison told CBS Sports. “She’s trying to avoid the inevitable. I wouldn’t want to fight me either, I get it. She’s calling out Amanda, she’s saying I’m on steroids.

“Julianna doesn’t have a win over someone in the top 15 right now. What has she been doing? She’s had two years off, coming off a loss. Now she’s going to fight for the title, she’s been blessed with this gift. Her time is coming, and more importantly my time is coming. I’ll be prepared for when it does, and I hope she is too.”

Peña pulled off a stunning upset win over Nunes at UFC 269 to claim the bantamweight title. Nunes was able to exact her revenge in their rematch, dominating a durable Peña to reclaim her title at UFC 277. Peña has not fought since.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 ‘Embedded,’ No. 1: Alex Pereira makes it to the mountaintop, Khalil Rountree plays with Bigfoot

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the fighters – and Bigfoot – have started to descend on Salt Lake City.

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

The first episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Alex Pereira trains and goes on a hike with his team; Julianna Peña gets ready for fight week; Stephen Thompson practices his jiu jitsu; Roman Dolidze goes to the mountains; Khalil Rountree Jr. and his team have an encounter with bigfoot.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.