- Kayla Harrison defeated Holly Holm in her promotional debut at UFC 300
- 33-year-old dominated the former champion before securing rear-naked choke
- UFC 300 LIVE: Fight card and updates as Alex Pereira takes on Jamahal Hill
Kayla Harrison announced her arrival in a big way by defeating Holly Holm at UFC 300.
The 33-year-old entered the Octagon as one of the most highly-anticipated signings for the promotion in recent years.
Before signing with the UFC, Harrison had transferred a decorated career as a Olympic judoka into a dominant run in the PFL, and was twice crowned the promotion’s lightweight tournament winner.
Making her bantamweight debut against Holm. Harrison embarked on a significant body transformation in the lead up to her UFC debut in order to make the 136lbs weight limit.
Harrison wasted little time engaging in the grappling following the opening bell but a deft reversal early in the first round saw her put on her back.
Holm couldn’t press her advantage however, and after returning to her feet Harrison took control of the action, combining an array of strikes on the feet with her world-class grappling.
After once again securing a takedown in the second round Harrison transitioned to Holm’s back to sink in a rear-naked choke to cap off a dominant performance and put the bantamweight division on notice.
Speaking inside the cage following her maiden UFC win, Harrison told Joe Rogan that she sees herself winning the belt by the end of the year.
‘I’ve been waiting a long time to talk to you, Joe!’ She said.
‘I was surprised she clinched me and reversed me, Holly is a legend of our sport, God bless you and your family, it was an honour to share the octagon with you.
‘I want my title next, that’s what I came over here for. At the end of the year I will be UFC champion.’
Amanda Nunes has loomed large over the division she reigned over for nearly a decade since announcing her retirement last summer and Harrison’s performance cleary captured her attention as she shared a video on social media.