UFC 300: Debut Fighter Addresses Significant Weight Concerns: "I'm Confident"

While fans have some doubt, this fighter feels self-assured.
UFC 300: Debut Fighter Addresses Significant Weight Concerns: "I'm Confident"
UFC 300: Debut Fighter Addresses Significant Weight Concerns: "I'm Confident" /

There is a ton of buzz going into UFC 300, but with it comes worry.

MMA fans know all too well about fight cancellations as a result of weigh-in mishaps. If you'll recall, back in July of last year Stephen Thompson refused to fight Michel Pereira at UFC 291 after "Demolidor" failed to make weight. This was a main card pay-per-view fight fans had been looking forward to.

Could a similar fate be in store for the promotional debut of Kayla Harrison at UFC 300?

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Harrison is a former PFL lightweight champion, but she's cutting all the way down to 135 pounds for her UFC debut against Holly Holm on April 13. Fans are understandably concerned.

Former PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison makes her UFC debut at UFC 300 on April 13.
(via PFL)

Speaking to Kevin Iole, Harrison admitted that the weight cut is no small task, but she is doing everything she can to prepare her body and make the weight.

"I wouldn't have made the move if I didn't think I was going to be able to do it," Harrison said. "We did a test cut. Everything was measured, from my heart rate to my blood pressure to my blood sugar. We did a test recovery. We did a test simulated fight. Everything has been dialed in and everything has been tested. I'm really confident in my team and I'm really confident in myself. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but the things in life that are worth having are usually not easy [to obtain]."

Even if Harrison manages to make the bantamweight limit, there is the question of whether or not she'll drain herself to the point where she won't have much to give in the fight. It's a fascinating story going into UFC 300, and one that the MMA community is keeping a close eye on.

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Fernando Quiles Jr.
FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.