Over 30 years later, one of the most-anticipated cards in MMA history is finally (almost) here. We’ve been talking about and waiting for this one for weeks. UFC 300 goes down on Saturday night from the UFC‘s de facto “home” venue, T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Live coverage of this monumental night begins at 6 pm ET/ 3 pm PT on both ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass inside the United States with the early prelims, before continuing on ESPN proper at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT with the late portion of the undercard.
Action concludes with the main card at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Three title fights will top the bill, including the fight for the UFC BMF Championship. Frazer Krohn broke that contest down on the MMASucka YouTube channel earlier on in the week.
Harrison Begins UFC Tenure Against Holm Saturday Night in Vegas
Our focus on this day is on the late portion of the undercard. On an anticipated night in the history of the sport, a former champion makes her anticipated return. Former PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison (16-1 MMA, UFC promotional debut) enters the famed Octagon for the first time when she takes on No. 5 contender Holly Holm (15-6, 1 NC MMA, 8-6, 1 NC UFC) in a women’s bantamweight contest.
This prelim is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round.
🚨 Holly Holm. Kayla Harrison. Let’s have it. 🔥@KaylaH officially signs with the UFC to fight the former champion @HollyHolm at #UFC300 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tmqqnEfkbY
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 24, 2024
Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into this undercard bout, both fighters stand level in height at 5-foot-8. Holm owns a three-inch reach advantage (69 inches to 66 inches) over Harrison, with the latter owning a three-inch leg reach advantage (41 inches to 38 inches) over the former.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Kayla Harrison installed as a -480 betting favorite on the money line, while Holly Holm counters as a +360 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Harrison Answering a Big Question
Kayla Harrison enters the fight on Saturday night having posted a record of 4-1 in her last five fights. Most recently, she scored a unanimous decision victory on Nov, 24 against Aspen Ladd (11-5 MMA, 2-2 PFL) during PFL 10 in a showcase bout.
One of the major stories going into UFC 300 was whether or not Harrison would be able to make the 135-lb. maximum for a bantamweight contest on the day of the weigh-ins. This is the first time that she’s been booked at bantamweight in her professional MMA career.
Aside from a single appearance at featherweight in Invicta FC during the pandemic in 2020, Kayla Harrison has always fought at 155 lbs. in MMA. During Wednesday’s media session, the question came up again.
“My weight is good,” Harrison began. “Everything is dialed in. I have a superb team behind me. Eric Pena, the UFC PI has been helping out, my chef and nutritionist Dara has been making ridiculously delicious meals. I’ve been disciplined and dedicated, and it’s going to show.”
Holm Expects Harrison In Top Form
In the other corner, Holly Holm has gone 3-1 with one no-contest in her last five fights. Most recently, she saw her July 15 fight against Mayra Bueno Silva (10-3-1, 1 NC MMA, 5-3-1, 1 NC UFC) revised to a no-contest after her opponent returned a positive drug test upon originally submitting Holm (standing ninja choke) during round two.
Recently, she discussed Harrison’s weight cut and Holm isn’t too concerned about it.
“I don’t think it will matter fight night, because I want to be prepared for the fastest, strongest, most conditioned Kayla Harrison there is,” Holm mentioned. “I don’t want to put it in my head, ‘Oh, she may not be strong enough or she might be depleted and that I think I have this edge in that way.’ No, I need to beat her at her strongest, at her most conditioned and her fastest.”
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Stylistically, this undercard bout looks to favor the debuting Kayla Harrison, a former Olympian in judo, while Holly Holm counters as a boxer.
Kayla Harrison Can Go Deep into A Fight
While Kayla Harrison is known for her stoppage victories, if the situation calls for it on Saturday night, she can work late into the contest, like she did last time vs. Aspen Ladd. Harrison dropped Ladd multiple times throughout the first two rounds of the fight, but it was in round three where she turned it on, mixing up her strikes and remaining standing.
The ground game is her forte, however, and she eventually found herself taking top position, neutralizing Aspen Ladd as the third round progressed, peppering her with ground and pound shots. She didn’t get the stoppage, but Harrison left the PFL as a winner.
If Kayla Harrison gets to the third round this week, she’s got the skills to take control of the fight.
Holm’s Striking Will Tell the Tale
In the other corner, Holly Holm’s boxing background may take Harrison’s judo skills out of the question. If Holm throws the first big punch of the fight, it could be a wrap.
One need look no further than her now-classic win versus Ronda Rousey. During the second round of a scheduled five, Holm landed a two-punch combination before dropping Rousey with a head kick. A quick burst of ground and pound shots ended the contest in under a minute.
Watch for Holly Holm to try and beat Kayla Harrison to the punch on Saturday night. It just might be the opening she needs to seize the momentum.
Final Thoughts
This is the best fight that the UFC could have possibly given Kayla Harrison for her debut in UFC 300 this week. Two former champions will go at it. This story almost writes itself.
Prediction: Kayla Harrison by Unanimous Decision.
