The UFC has finally revealed the main event for its landmark 300th pay-per-view event, and it is a blockbuster. Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will face former PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison in a featherweight bout that could determine the next challenger for Amanda Nunes’ title. This will be the first time that two female Olympic medalists will face each other in the UFC.
Holm: The Preacher’s Daughter with a Knockout Punch
Holly Holm is no stranger to big fights. The 41-year-old veteran has been in the UFC since 2014, and has fought some of the best female fighters in history. She is best known for her stunning knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, which ended Rousey’s unbeaten streak and made Holm the bantamweight champion. Holm also holds wins over Miesha Tate, Bethe Correia, Megan Anderson, and Raquel Pennington.
Holm is a former professional boxer and kickboxer, who won multiple world titles in different weight classes. She is also an Olympic bronze medalist in taekwondo, which she competed in at the 2000 Sydney Games. Holm is known for her striking skills, especially her powerful left hand and head kicks. She has 10 knockouts in her 15 MMA wins, and has never been knocked out herself.
Harrison: The Judo Phenom with a Dominant Grappling Game
Kayla Harrison is one of the most decorated judokas of all time. The 32-year-old American won two Olympic gold medals in judo, in 2012 and 2016, becoming the first American to do so. She also won two world championships and three Pan American Games gold medals in her illustrious judo career. Harrison transitioned to MMA in 2018, and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she dominated the lightweight division and won two consecutive $1 million tournaments.
Harrison is undefeated in MMA, with a perfect 12-0 record. She has finished 10 of her opponents, eight by submission and two by TKO. She is a master of the armbar, which she used to end nine of her fights. Harrison is also a formidable wrestler, who can take down and control her opponents with ease. She has a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and trains with the renowned American Top Team.
The Matchup: A Classic Striker vs. Grappler Duel
The fight between Holm and Harrison is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, with each fighter having a clear advantage in their respective domains. Holm will look to keep the fight standing, where she can use her superior striking skills and experience to outpoint or knock out Harrison. Harrison will look to close the distance, clinch, and take the fight to the ground, where she can use her dominant grappling skills and strength to submit or pound out Holm.
The fight will also be a test of size and endurance, as both fighters will be fighting at a higher weight class than usual. Holm normally competes at 135 pounds, but has fought at 145 pounds three times before, losing twice to Nunes and once to Germaine de Randamie. Harrison normally competes at 155 pounds, but has fought at 145 pounds twice before, beating Courtney King and Cindy Dandois. Both fighters will have to adjust to the weight cut and the power difference.
The fight will also be a historic one, as it will be the first time that two female Olympic medalists will face each other in the UFC. Holm and Harrison are both pioneers and legends in their respective sports, and have achieved remarkable feats in their careers. The fight will be a showcase of the highest level of female martial arts, and a potential title eliminator for the featherweight division.
The Stakes: A Shot at the Greatest of All Time
The winner of the fight between Holm and Harrison will likely earn a title shot against the reigning UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes. Nunes is widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time, and has defended both her belts multiple times. She has beaten some of the biggest names in the sport, including Rousey, Tate, Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and de Randamie.
Nunes has not fought since December 2021, when she defeated Julianna Pena by submission at UFC 269. She has expressed interest in fighting either Holm or Harrison, as both fighters present new and exciting challenges for her. Nunes has already beaten Holm by TKO in 2019, but Holm has improved since then and could pose a different threat in a rematch. Nunes has never fought Harrison, who is bigger and stronger than her, and could test her grappling skills.
The fight between Holm and Harrison will be a thrilling and historic main event for UFC 300, which will take place on April 29, 2024, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will also feature other exciting bouts, such as Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 3 for the middleweight title, Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington 3 for the welterweight title, and Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for the heavyweight title. UFC 300 will be a night to remember for MMA fans around the world.
