Two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion Kayla Harrison made her octagon debut at UFC 300 and dominated former bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Harrison considers herself the ‘uncrowned queen’ of the bantamweight division.
On Saturday, she took on second-ranked Ketlen Vieira in a battle that may seemingly produce the subsequent title challenger. Vieira entered the match coming off a win over Pannie Kianzad in July. She has wins over two former champions, Miesha Tate and Holm, and deliberate to finish the Harrison hype prepare.
Vieira landed first with a leg kick. She circled on the skin as Harrison took the middle of the octagon. Harrison related with a left hand. She rapidly closed the gap and initiated the clinch. With Vieira’s again to the cage, Harrison delivered knees to the physique. Harrison separated with slightly below two minutes left within the spherical.
Vieira landed a leg kick and Harrison responded with a kick to the physique. Harrison closed the gap and tripped Vieira to the bottom. Harrison gained prime place and labored inside Vieira’s half guard. Harrison superior to mount and related with a tough elbow. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Harrison.
Harrison landed first within the second body with a leg kick. Vieira landed a proper hand. Harrison responded with an inside leg kick that knocked Vieira down. Vieira rapidly bought again to her toes. The specter of a takedown appeared to have slowed Vieira’s output. Harrison closed the gap after absorbing a proper hand. Within the clinch, Harrison delivered a knee to the physique and an elbow on the within. On the break, Vieira related with a stable elbow.
Harrison clinched once more and delivered a collection of knees to the physique. The referee separated them. Vieira landed a leg kick. Harrison had a knot and reduce on her brow. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Harrison.
They touched gloves to begin the ultimate body. Harrison delivered a leg kick that knocked Vieira off her toes. Harrison pressed ahead however Vieira circled free. Harrison stepped within the pocket with a left hand. Vieira delivered a leg kick adopted by a proper hand to the physique. Harrison seemed to get the battle to the bottom. She clinched and tripped Vieira to the canvas.
Halfway via the spherical, Harrison postured up and related with a left hand. Harrison labored in Vieira’s open guard and delivered left arms. Harrison stood and dropped again into Vieira’s guard with a tough elbow. Harrison superior to the mount place. Vieira labored her means again to half guard. The spherical ended with Harrison standing over Vieira. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Harrison.
The judges scored the battle for Harrison by way of unanimous resolution. The scorecards learn 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
