In an ideal world, Kayla Harrison wouldn’t combat at 135 kilos, but when that’s the one possibility she has to show she’s the most effective fighter on the planet then she’ll proceed to make that sacrifice.
Forward of her upcoming title combat in opposition to Julianna Peña at UFC 316, issues have been raised concerning the two-time Olympic champion making the bantamweight restrict after brazenly discussing the difficulties she faces hitting that mark. Harrison’s longtime head coach at American High Group, Mike Brown, concedes that Harrison places her physique by way of torture to get all the way down to 135 kilos. Nonetheless, he’s not frightened about her out of the blue hitting a wall and never with the ability to make that weight.
“She’ll do no matter it takes,” Brown advised MMA Preventing. “She is as dedicated as any athlete comes and I imply one of many largest hurdles for her is the burden. She would reasonably combat at a bigger weight and I believe she’d be even higher at a much bigger weight however they don’t have it sadly.
“However she’s keen to do no matter it takes to be the most effective. If they need her to chop to 135, she’ll minimize to 135. If they need her to chop to 125, she’ll minimize to 125. She’ll do no matter it takes to point out the world that she’s the most effective.”
Throughout her rise to fame, Harrison primarily competed at 155 kilos within the PFL with solely two fights happening at decrease weights—as soon as in Invicta FC at 145 kilos and a catchweight bout in opposition to UFC veteran Aspen Ladd at 150 kilos.
Since coming to the UFC, the now 34-year-old fighter has made 136 kilos on two separate events for non-title fights. For June 7, she has to chop the additional pound to make 135 on the dot.
Weight reducing is rarely a super scenario for any fighter however Brown is aware of Harrison goes to hit the mark for her title combat in opposition to Peña and she or he’ll do it as many instances as essential to defend the belt as soon as she turns into champion.
“I imply it’s not straightforward however she will do it,” Brown stated. “She will do it as many instances as she needs to do it. It’s simply self-discipline and altering your physique. Is it optimum? Possibly not however she’s keen to sacrifice and make these adjustments and she or he’s that good that she will make it occur and beat whoever they put in entrance of her.”
Just a few years in the past, the UFC launched a ladies’s featherweight division the place fighters like Cris Cyborg competed. Nevertheless, after Amanda Nunes retired because the final 145-pound champion, the burden class ultimately went away.
If the UFC nonetheless employed featherweights, Brown believes that’s the place Harrison would combat, however that’s not an possibility so she’ll proceed to shed these further kilos to compete at bantamweight.
“I believe optimum can be 145 or one thing like this however she will make any weight and she will present the world what she’s able to and I believe she’s the most effective feminine fighter on the planet,” Brown stated.
“The issue is that they don’t have [featherweight]. If they’d [145 pounds], she wouldn’t be combating 135. However as a result of they don’t have it, she has to. So she’s form of pressured into it.”
Whether or not it’s weight-cutting, combating by way of accidents or simply the adversity that fighters face within the cage, Brown guarantees Harrison is able to give every little thing she has to change into UFC champion.
As her first and solely head coach since she determined to transition from judo to MMA after capturing her second Olympic gold medal, Brown couldn’t be prouder to see Harrison lastly get the chance to point out she’s the most effective on this planet. For his or her workforce, UFC 316 can’t get right here quickly sufficient.
“She’s the most effective on this planet. It’s time to point out all people,” Brown stated. “That is tremendous thrilling, I’m glad it’s lastly right here. We knew this present day would come and it’s additionally slightly little bit of an additional pull when she began her profession with us.
“She began her coaching at [American Top Team] from zero fights to right here we’re 19 or 20 fights in and able to combat for a world title.”
