Kayla Harrison can all the time rely on Alexandre Pantoja to push her within the fitness center.
The 2-time Olympic gold medalist climbed to the highest of the bantamweight mountain in June, securing a dominant second-round submission victory over Julianna Pena at UFC 316 to assert the promotion’s 135-pound crown.
Harrison appeared virtually flawless in her first-ever title battle contained in the Octagon — one thing she will partially credit score to her American High Crew teammate and fellow UFC champion.
“[Alexandre] Pantoja is my inspiration, you already know? Like, after I’m having a tough day within the fitness center, I have a look at him and truly each time I’m going with him, like, this isn’t—I’m not even exaggerating,” Harrison instructed MMA Junkie whereas attending final month’s UFC Corridor of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas. “I often go together with him the final spherical of MCO Mondays and if I do, I most likely am going to throw up. Like, possibilities 9 out of ten instances, I’m by the bucket throwing up. He’s simply—he’s a pacesetter and who he’s. He’s a household man. He’s taken the exhausting highway to get right here, and he hasn’t skipped any of the steps.
“So he’s an inspiration to me. And to listen to that he thinks that’s—it’s the very best reward you might give me. Particularly out of your teammates. These are the individuals who sweat and bleed and cry with you. In order that’s—yeah. It’s an honor.”
Alexandre Pantoja and Kayla Harrison already know what’s subsequent
Pantoja’s exhausting work paid off as soon as once more at UFC 317. ‘The Cannibal’ put away Kai Kara-France of their co-main occasion conflict throughout Worldwide Combat Week, notching his fourth profitable protection of the flyweight championship.
Apparently, each Pantoja and Harrison already know who they’ll be tasked with taking out subsequent. The previous will meet fast-rising contender Joshua Van, who skyrocketed himself to the highest spot within the flyweight rankings with a brilliantly violent efficiency in opposition to former title challenger Brandon Royval.
As for Harrison, she finds herself as soon as once more on a collision course with ex-teammate and former champ-champ Amanda Nunes.
