The UFC 300 card includes a highly anticipated matchup between former bantamweight champion Holly Holm and ex-PFL titleholder Kayla Harrison, who is making her UFC debut. The fight will take place on the ESPN prelims and has the potential to set the winner up for a shot at the UFC women’s bantamweight title currently held by Raquel Pennington. The event is set to take place on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring two UFC title fights and a BMF title bout on the ESPN+ pay-per-view portion of the card.
Holm, a former professional boxer, made the transition to MMA in 2013 and signed with the UFC in 2015. She quickly rose through the ranks and shocked the world by knocking out Ronda Rousey to win the bantamweight title. However, her reign was short-lived, and she has since faced setbacks in her title fights. Despite this, Holm remains a top-ranked fighter in the UFC women’s bantamweight division and is coming off a no contest in her last bout due to her opponent failing a drug test.
On the other hand, Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, started her MMA career with PFL in the lightweight division before moving down to 145 pounds and eventually signing with the UFC. With an impressive record of 16-1, Harrison is considered a significant betting favorite for her bout against Holm. However, one concern heading into the fight is that Harrison has never fought below 145 pounds, raising questions about her ability to compete in the bantamweight division.
The winner of the Holm vs. Harrison matchup at UFC 300 could potentially earn a title shot against reigning bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington. However, Pennington has expressed her preference for facing Julianna Peña in her first title defense, emphasizing the importance of earning opportunities in the division through hard work and dedication. Nonetheless, UFC CEO Dana White expects UFC 300 to be a record-breaking event at the T-Mobile Arena, with a stacked card that includes several exciting matchups.
As UFC 300 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Holm and Harrison, which has the potential to shake up the women’s bantamweight division. With both fighters coming from successful backgrounds in combat sports, the clash between the veteran former champion and the rising star is set to be a highlight of the event. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on UFC 300, including previews of other key matchups on the card featuring top fighters in the promotion.
