Dana White dropped a bombshell on Instagram, revealing that Kayla Harrison, is now a UFC fighter.
The former Olympian and PFL star (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), set to make her debut at UFC 300 on April 13, facing Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) in the bantamweight division.
This marks a shift for Harrison, who has previously competed in the 145-pound to 155-pound range.
Breaking News: UFC has signed Kayla Harrison!#UFC300 Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison pic.twitter.com/jQeLItwQmO
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2024
Harrison, aged 33, last fought at the 2023 PFL World Championship in November, winning against Aspen Ladd by unanimous decision. It was her only fight in the year, as she chose not to participate in the promotion's season format. After this bout, Harrison hinted it might be the last one on her contract.
PFL CEO Donn Davis mentioned on Monday that he believed Harrison might have at least one more fight with them (as per "The MMA Hour").
Harrison, a two-time PFL women's lightweight champion, secured titles in the 2019 and 2021 seasons. However, her only career loss came in the 2022 PFL season championship against Larissa Pacheco.
Holly Holm, aged 42, is a former women's bantamweight champion. In 2023, she competed twice, going 1-0 with one no contest (due to Mayra Bueno Silva's victory being overturned after a failed drug test for ADHD medication).
The latest UFC 300 card now includes:
- Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway – for BMF title
- Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan – for strawweight title
- Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
- Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm
- Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
- Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
- Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt
- Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller
- Cody Brundage vs. Bo Nickal