Kayla Harrison has nothing however respect for Alex Pereira.
Earlier this yr, Harrison and Pereira shared a battle card for the primary time, with each selecting up large wins at UFC 300. That night, Harrison made her UFC and ladies’s bantamweight debut with a second-round submission of former champion Holly Holm, and Pereira efficiently defended his mild heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of former champion Jamahal Hill. After the occasion was over, the 2 shared a second backstage the place Harrison — a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo — even noticed match to present Pereira a yellow belt, regardless of “Poatan” not utilizing any grappling expertise in his UFC 300 matchup.
Talking just lately with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Harrison defined why.
“A yellow belt is a joke, clearly,” Harrison instructed mentioned. “You don’t usually give adults yellow belts, in order that was a part of it. … And to be truthful to him, he was exhibiting me the movies of him coaching and he was kicking [ass]. I want that he would launch this one, oh my God — he did the transfer I taught him after which he did the transfer you do if the transfer doesn’t work. I used to be like, ‘Dude, you seem like a judoka!’ It’s loopy how briskly he picks stuff up. He appeared like a legit judo [player]. He foot-swept the shit out of this child. Like slipping on a banana peel.
“So I gave him a yellow belt as a joke.”
Like Harrison, Pereira additionally got here to MMA after an in depth profession in one other fight sport: Kickboxing. A two-division GLORY champion, Pereira solely joined UFC in 2021 and has already carved out a Corridor of Fame worthy profession, profitable titles in two weight courses, headlining a number of marquee occasions, and incomes Fighter of the 12 months honors in 2022. He’s additionally change into one of many largest stars in all of MMA and is the present frontrunner for 2024 Fighter of the 12 months honors as nicely — and Harrison couldn’t be happier for him.
“He’s actually dwelling his finest life, isn’t he?” Harrison mentioned. “He doesn’t communicate English however his character comes throughout. I feel that’s what makes a celebrity particular: You’ll be able to really feel their aura and their character. I don’t even know should you name it charisma, however that factor. He has charisma.
“I’m simply comfortable for him. If you hear his story and while you hear — he in all probability doesn’t discuss it lots however he was an alcoholic and he began competing. Dude, that’s badass. I simply like to see it.”
Pereira just lately headlined UFC 303, knocking out Jiri Prochazka of their 205-pound title rematch. Afterward, Pereira mentioned he was open to defending his title towards Magomed Ankalaev, or maybe transferring as much as heavyweight in an try and change into the primary three-division champion in UFC historical past.
