Kayla Harrison might by no means get to combat Cris Cyborg, however she nonetheless can’t escape the previous UFC and Strikeforce featherweight champion.
Harrison and the Brazilian legend circled each other over a possible combat for years, nevertheless Harrison signing with the UFC and transferring right down to bantamweight seemingly ended no matter glimmer of hope remained for making it occur. But at the same time as Harrison prepares for her octagon debut at UFC 300, she nonetheless has to listen to that very same outdated identify, as Cyborg traveled to New Mexico to assist Holly Holm put together to face Harrison on April 13.
“She simply likes to stir the f****** pot, doesn’t she?” Harrison stated when requested about Cyborg coaching with Holm throughout a UFC 300 fan Q&A. “Go house already, no person cares.”
Harrison might not have a lot good to say about Cyborg, however the identical can’t be stated about Holm. After signing with the UFC, Harrison welcomed any problem the promotion threw at her, however she was honored to get the possibility to face somebody like Holm, who’s a former UFC bantamweight champion and member of the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame.
“I don’t use the phrase legend frivolously, however I believe Holly could be very a lot a legend within the sport,” Harrison stated. “She’s been within the prime 10 for years now, been a former champ. I didn’t come over right here to simply see how I can do and combat amongst everybody.
“I’m right here to come back over and win a UFC title and end my profession on prime. So Holly’s begin to that.”
Harrison’s transfer to UFC got here with some shock contemplating she fought the vast majority of her MMA profession at 155 kilos, plus a one-off at featherweight. The transfer right down to 135 kilos serves as arguably her hardest take a look at but, however she guarantees she’s prepared for the problem.
So as to add to that, the two-time Olympic gold medalist all the time needed so as to add a UFC title to her résumé. She knew the one approach to do this was reducing right down to the bantamweight division.
“I imply, after I first began MMA, the aim was all the time to turn into UFC champion,” Harrison stated. “It’s been a number of highs and lows, some bumps alongside the way in which, however finally this was the aim after I got here to MMA. I knew that no matter contract I signed was in all probability going to be the final contract I signal. If not now, then when? I’m prepared, I’m prepared, I’m in a position.
“I don’t wish to look again and be 70 years outdated and say, ‘F***, I want I had given it a shot.’ It’s time to go, child.”
Harrison acknowledged nothing will come straightforward in her first look at bantamweight, however she expects that the danger is well worth the reward.
“Actually, bantamweight grew to become a actuality and goes to turn into a actuality on April 12,” Harrison stated. “It’s not one thing that I had thought of earlier than, however I knew no matter contract I signed was going to be the final contract. This chance arose. I don’t wish to look again on my life and say, ‘What if, what if, what if.’
“Sure, it’s a sacrifice. Sure, it sucks. I miss pizza, I miss cookies, I miss brownies. However I do imagine that UFC gold shall be price it.”
So far as successful gold, Harrison declined to say whether or not she’s been promised a title shot with a win over Holm at UFC 300. It will nonetheless be awfully arduous to disclaim her that, particularly with the eye she’s acquired since signing with the group.
Fairly than depart it as much as likelihood, Harrison stated she’ll depart little doubt she’s essentially the most deserving individual for a title shot after she will get by way of Holm at UFC 300. She additionally despatched a slightly emphatic message to the remainder of the bantamweight division now that she’s arrived.
“My focus is on April 13, UFC 300, Las Vegas, dwell, Holly Holm and me are going to throw down within the cage,” Harrison stated. “I plan on placing on such beating that they don’t have any alternative however to offer me the title shot after that. It’s in my fingers.”
“My ideas [on the bantamweight division] are there’s a brand new sheriff on the town, and on April 13, everyone goes to search out out.”
