Kayla Harrison faced some adversity thanks to Ketlen Vieira’s game but still managed to score a decision win at UFC 307, potentially setting herself up to face the winner of tonight’s Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña women’s bantamweight title fight.
The fight’s opening round was fairly quiet, with Harrison looking to find an opening. The two-time PFL champion managed to get Vieira pinned against the fence, but the Brazilian successfully defended against the takedown and was able to work herself off. The final minute, however, saw Harrison land a big takedown and get in top position, searching for a submission and landing a vicious elbow before the horn.
Harrison maintained her control of the fight’s pacing through the second round, but Vieira landed a damaging elbow late in the round that left a hematoma on the two-time Olympic gold medalist.
By the halfway mark of the third round, Harrison was able to bloody up Vieira and scored another takedown, doing work in the #2-ranked contender’s guard.
Kayla Harrison Faces Challenges But Still Gets Judges’ Nod Over Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307
Subpar Kayla Harrison performance, she looked beatable #UFC307
Harrison signed with the UFC in January 2024 after starting her MMA career with the PFL, becoming a two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion in the process. The 34-year-old made her Octagon debut at UFC 300, finishing Holly Holm.
Vieira, meanwhile, had won three of her last four entering Saturday’s event in Salt Lake City, which included wins over former champions Holm and Miesha Tate. She had most recently fought in July 2023, defeating Pannie Kianzad by decision in England.
Kayla Harrison has responded to the comments made by Henry Cejudo regarding her fight with Ketlen Vieira at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The former UFC champion picked Harrison to win the bout. However, he sees Vieira’s black belt in judo and her striking as dangerous for Harrison in the fight. Once the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka heard about his comments, she didn’t hold back while speaking with Submission Radio.
“I don’t know why the hell they’re talking about a judo black belt making a difference. There are levels,” she said. “That would be like me telling Henry, ‘Oh this kid wrestled in varsity in high school, so you’re going to struggle to take him down.’ Benign. Asinine. It’s all right. I look forward to showing once again why Henry is a jealous little man.”
The Double Down
Harrison doubled down on her remarks towards Cejudo in an exchange with Ali Abdelaziz, who represents both fighters during Episode 4 of UFC Embedded.
“Bro, you better get your boy f*cking Henry,” Harrison said. “I’m going to f*ck him up. After he talked all that sh*t, he was like, ‘But, I’ve got to go with Kayla.’ Oh yeah. I f*cking watched it. I’m telling you, he’s jealous because I have more gold medals than him. He can’t handle it – his little fragile ego.”
After capturing the gold in November 2023 and withstanding challenges from Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year, “Poatan” is next tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Khalil Rountree to continue his reign atop the 205-pound mountain.
Title stakes will also be present for the co-main event, which will see Raquel Pennington make her first defense of the bantamweight belt opposite returning ex-divisional queen Julianna Peña.
Elsewhere on the UFC 307 card, the legendary José Aldo looks to continue his pursuit of a late-career title shot after a successful return from retirement this past May, Kayla Harrison makes her second Octagon outing, the always entertaining Kevin Holland shoots for the middleweight top 10, and former two-time strawweight queen Carla Esparza enters the cage for the final time.
Ahead of the event, all 24 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday night is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 307 ceremonial weigh-ins!
Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 6 p.m. ET.
Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree and Raquel Pennington staking the women’s bantamweight gold opposite Julianna Peña.
Also on the main card will be returns for UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and fan favorite Kevin Holland.
UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Weigh-In Results
UFC 307 takes place Saturday, October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 307 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
Bantamweight: José Aldo (136lbs) vs. Mario Bautista (136lbs)
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (185.5lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (185.5lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (136lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170.5lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez (115.5lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs)
Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (156lbs) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156lbs)
Middleweight: César Almeida (185.5lbs) vs. Ihor Potieria (185.5lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (205.5lbs) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza (115.5lbs) vs. Tecia Pennington (115lbs)
Welterweight: Court McGee (170lbs) vs. Tim Means (171lbs)
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of surprise challenger Khalil Rountree if he’s to record a third successful title defense in 2024.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.
Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 307 main card here.
UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 307 (as of 10/4), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Alex Pereira (-455) vs. Khalil Rountree (+350)
Raquel Pennington (-166) vs. Julianna Peña (+140)
José Aldo (+124) vs. Mario Bautista (-148)
Roman Dolidze (+130) vs. Kevin Holland (-155)
Ketlen Vieira (+700) vs. Kayla Harrison (-1100)
Preliminary Card:
Stephen Thompson (+180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-218)
Marina Rodriguez (+164) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-198)
Austin Hubbard (+130) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-155)
We’re deep into UFC 307 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 5 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington looking to record a first successful defense at the expense of returning former champ Julianna Peña.
The main card will also see the always entertaining Kevin Holland making the walk, as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 against Roman Dolidze.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 307 edition saw every fighter set to make the walk on the main card in two days’ time with mic in hand.
Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.
The main event will see Alex Pereira attempt to record his third successful title defense of 2024. Following on from knockout wins over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and Jiří Procházka at UFC 303, “Poatan” will headline another PPV, this time against a surprise challenger in #8-ranked light heavyweight Khalil Rountree.
Co-headlining will be another titleholder in Raquel Pennington, who returns nine months on from her crowning to defend the women’s bantamweight belt against fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, who has been out of action for over two years.
Elsewhere on the main card, the legendary José Aldo kicks off a new UFC contract, Kayla Harrison makes her sophomore Octagon appearance against the #2-ranked Ketlen Vieira, and Kevin Holland shoots for the middleweight top 10 opposite Roman Dolidze.
UFC 307: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 307 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through six cards.
Thomas Albano (23-6)
Ryan Jarrell (17-12)
Kyle Dimond (15-14)
Andrew Starc (8-11)
Pranav Pandey (4-6)
Aakrit Sharma (2-3)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 307.
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Holland up at middleweight against a grappler just seems like a recipe for disaster. Considering that Dolidze has fought up at light heavyweight, that only makes me more confident in him being able to take Holland down and hold him there. Enough said. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a tricky fight to pick because I can see paths both men have to a victory here. I think Holland is the more polished striker and could be able to get the better of Dolidze on the feet. But the Georgian is a wild man and can mix things up and make it very dangerous for Holland. I expect Dolidze to have the bigger moments in this fight. I want to say he wins via TKO but Holland is tough, so the pick is Dolidze by decision. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Thomas Albano: After his win over Anthony Smith, questions emerged about Roman Dolidze: will he try to go for another fight among the middleweight contender scene (after a loss to Nassourdine Imavov)? Or will he try his hand at 205 pounds again? Ultimately, he chooses the 185 route, replacing an injured Chris Curtis against Holland. “Big Mouth” has lost four of his last seven, though he enters off a win over Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302.
Nothing to say about this one other than striker vs. grappler – simple as that. If this fight gets to the ground, Holland is in trouble. Even if he’s improved his takedown defense game, Dolidze will be able to control the fight there. If Holland keeps the fight on the feet, then he’ll be able to pick Dolidze apart. Admittedly, this is a coin flip, but I think Dolidze will have the chin and endurance to outlast Holland’s strikes – and enough strength to take Holland to the ground. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Pranav Pandey: From what I can gather, this matchup promises to be a true 50/50 affair, with both fighters showcasing their unique and dynamic styles that have consistently led them to success. Dolidze seemed a bit derailed after suffering the first back-to-back losses of his career, but “The Caucasian” rebounded spectacularly with a dominant performance against Smith at UFC 303. The Georgian packs some serious power in his hands and is equally adept in grappling.
As for Holland, he enjoys a notable reach advantage and displays impressive fluidity in his footwork, complemented by solid takedown defense. However, my only concern with “Trailblazer” is that, in his recent fights, he hasn’t appeared fully invested in competing and hasn’t looked as sharp as he once did. Despite this, you can never count Holland out. That said, I believe Dolidze will take this matchup, successfully keeping Holland at bay while leveraging his strengths. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Aakrit Sharma: There are ways for both Holland and Dolidze to emerge victorious here. Dolidze can utilize his size and wrestling to shut down his opponent’s offense, while Holland can rely on his speed and movement to overwhelm the Georgian on the feet. Holland has only suffered one TKO loss in his career, while Dolidze has never been finished via strikes or submission. I’m predicting the fight goes the distance and Holland wins via decision. Even if he gets taken down, “Trailblazer” has the potential to pull out a submission. (Prediction: Kevin Holland)
Consensus: 4-1 Roman Dolidze
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I struggle to see how Vieira is able to make this fight competitive once Harrison gets hold of her. The big question ahead of her debut at UFC 300 was making bantamweight and, sure, it likely wasn’t an easy cut, but she made the weight and looked good inside the Octagon. The bantamweight division needs a big performance from her and a just as important post-fight interview. I don’t see anyone causing her too many problems in this division right now. I predict she’ll find a second-round TKO in Utah. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Ryan Jarrell: The odds in this fight make it pretty hard to go against the American. We all know the insane skillset that Harrison possesses. I do think Vieira is a live underdog here, and I can see her surprising the masses and pulling off the upset. But that doesn’t mean I feel confident enough to pick her to beat the two-time Olympic gold medalist. Give me Harrison to win via second-round submission. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Thomas Albano: There are plenty of people who feel Harrison should have been the one challenging for the women’s bantamweight title this weekend. But Peña played her cards right and it paid off. So Harrison, just in her second UFC fight, has to go against another dangerous name in the women’s 135-pound division in Vieira. The Brazilian, meanwhile, has won three of her last four, though she hasn’t fought since the summer of 2023. Viera’s most recent win came against Pannie Kianzad, and her other victories were decisions over Holm and Miesha Tate. Her only loss in this span? Raquel Pennington – the current champ.
Stylistically, this could be a really good fight considering Vieira, with her own skillset in judo and jiu-jitsu, could try to have a grappling battle with the two-time Olympic gold medalist – or try to use striking to counter Harrison’s game. That said, Harrison is just so good all around, putting that on display against Holm after building herself up with a pair of title wins in the PFL (and coming just short of a third). Harrison should be able to win this one and lock up a guaranteed shot against the Pennington vs. Peña winner. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Pranav Pandey: I think this could be one of the most lopsided matchups we’ll witness on Saturday night. Vieira is undeniably tough and has a solid grappling foundation, but the real question is whether she can keep someone like Harrison grounded — and if so, for how long? In my opinion, Harrison’s sheer dominance is likely too overwhelming for the Brazilian to manage, making it an uphill battle for Vieira from the start. The two-time Olympic gold medalist will bring a fierce intensity no matter where the fight unfolds. Whether it’s on the feet, on the mat, or anywhere in between, her dynamic style is set to take control at every turn. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Aakrit Sharma: Now that we know Harrison can make weight for the UFC women’s bantamweight division, I do not doubt she’ll be champion by the end of 2025, especially in Nunes’ absence. Harrison should rely on the same game plan that helped her win her UFC debut against Holly Holm, the wrestling. However, fighting at altitude following a brutal weight cut could be a problem for the Olympian and she should avoid trading shots with Vieira as the Brazilian possesses decent power and accuracy on the feet for the division.
Although Vieira boasts 93 percent takedown defense in the UFC, she’s yet to face someone as powerful and experienced as Harrison. Thanks to the constant takedown threat, Vieira might not be as comfortable and fluid on the feet as well, helping Harrison get an unexpected KO victory. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Consensus: 5-0 Kayla Harrison
Bantamweight: José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Bautista has looked impressive on this winning streak but the Aldo that showed up against Jonathan Martinez looked like he hadn’t lost a step. I still think he’s going to be too much for the guys that aren’t in the top tier of the division — guys like Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili that he has already lost to. I haven’t seen anything from Bautista to make me think he’s at that level yet. (Prediction: José Aldo)
Ryan Jarrell: Father Time has a pretty good track record unless your Tom Brady. But this is not football, and Bautista is a hungry, young Lion looking to make his mark against the legend in Aldo. This fight will be very competitive and Aldo will have his moments, but I believe Bautista is diverse enough to win a decision in what could be Fight of the Night. (Prediction: Mario Bautista)
Thomas Albano: Just when we thought Aldo’s time in the Octagon was done, he comes back earlier this year to put on a solid performance against Martinez. Now, Aldo gets a lower-ranked contender in Bautista. Despite the Brazilian’s age and brief retirement, he has won four of five fights he’s had since December 2020. The only loss in that span came against current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Bautista, meanwhile, is sporting a six-fight win streak that includes submissions of Brian Kelleher and Benito Lopez, as well as a decision over Ricky Simón in his most recent outing.
While I won’t argue much with anyone who feels Bautista’s ranked status, along with him being the younger fighter, leads to their prediction for him. But for me, it’s hard to pick against the “King of Rio” when he continues to put on the showings that he does and competes with the best in the game still. Aldo may likely never be a UFC champion again, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a top-quality fighter anymore with the way he’s performing. Add that this is a big step up for Bautista, and it’s hard for me to go against Aldo here. (Prediction: José Aldo)
Pranav Pandey: There’s no slowing down the “King of Rio.” After his return at UFC 301 following a hiatus, Aldo reminded everyone exactly why he’s held in such legendary esteem. The Brazilian icon masterfully dismantled Martinez, showcasing his trademark distance control and fluid in-and-out striking, leaving his opponent with little room to counter. Despite entering the sunset years of his illustrious career, the former 145-pound kingpin remains fully engaged, showing no signs of losing his edge. But while it’s tough for me to go against Aldo, Bautista presents a serious challenge.
The American brings a well-rounded grappling game, seamlessly blending feints with takedowns, and has been on an impressive run lately. The real question, though, is whether Bautista can apply enough pressure to disrupt Aldo’s rhythm. I believe he can. Bautista’s youth, freshness, and relentless pace, coupled with the potential impact of Utah’s altitude, could very well wear Aldo down and make it difficult for him to keep up with such a high-octane style. (Prediction: Mario Bautista)
Aakrit Sharma: This is my FOTN contender for UFC 307. The Bautista that showed up in the third round against Simón was truly special. The pace, the volume, the accuracy, and the timing would trouble anyone in the UFC men’s bantamweight division. Bautista is dangerous because he has several tools in his arsenal. He can kick, strike, and most importantly, hurt you with knees and elbows. For the rising American prospect, the path to victory should be to keep Aldo in the clinch and land in the pocket as much as possible. He has a great ground game and takedown defense, but it’s unlikely to work against Aldo, who also boasts one of the highest takedown defense rates in UFC history.
The “King of Rio” can shut Bautista down if he maintains distance and keeps attacking the legs. Stylistically, I don’t think Aldo is a good matchup for Bautista and I’m picking the Brazilian to win via decision. Fighting one of the best fighters of all time after beating your first ranked opponent in a division is a huge bump in competition, and Bautista might suffer a fate similar to Martinez, Rob Font, Pedro Munhoz, and Marlon Vera. (Prediction: José Aldo)
Consensus: 3-2 José Aldo
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: This one is a really tough one to call. I think Peña at her best is probably better than Pennington, and I think I’d lean that way if it was over three rounds. This is one I’ve gone back and forth on and I can totally see another grinding performance from Pennington to retain the title. But, I’m gonna back Peña. My major concern is that she doesn’t have a win over anyone in the UFC righ tnow. However, many of Pennington’s wins haven’t been massively impressive either, so maybe that will level things out. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Ryan Jarrell: The dislike these two ladies have for one another will add to the build-up of this fight. However, I think the bout itself will be somewhat of a snooze fest. Mostly, because I believe Peña will dominate the wrestling and grappling exchanges and spend a lot of time in top control. I expect “The Venezuelan Vixen” to win a decision here. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Thomas Albano: It’s not the most popular choice of fight, but there’s credit that has to be given out. The unpopular manner Pennington won the women’s bantamweight championship at the start of the year does not fall all on her. And though Peña has not fought since UFC 277, and has complained about not receiving a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes, she’s got another opportunity at the title now. In fairness, Peña did score one of MMA’s greatest upsets when she finished Nunes at UFC 269. There is certainly merit to her game. Pennington, meanwhile, was pretty dominant when she won the then-vacant title at UFC 297 in a fight with Mayra Bueno Silva that went the distance – a fight that honestly showed Bueno Silva did not belong there.
These two ladies are two of the best that the UFC’s 135-pound division has to offer. Both these two also have history with one another as members of Team Tate during season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter – which Peña won, with Pennington falling in the semifinals. Pennington is the defending champion and is on a six-fight win streak, but I feel that Peña just has more power, a better well-rounded skillset, and better wins and experience in terms of competition. That may probably play out on Saturday night with “The Venezuelan Vixen” getting the gold back. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Pranav Pandey: This matchup between Pennington and Peña is one that, in my view, could swing in either direction at any moment. Pennington, the reigning champion, comes in riding the wave of a five-fight win streak. Known for her relentless pace, “Rocky” brings a high-volume striking game that methodically wears down her opponents over the course of a fight. However, Pennington’s lack of knockout power often pushes her bouts to go the distance, which could be a disadvantage against someone as tough and relentless as Peña.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” is a durable powerhouse with an unwavering pace, constantly pressuring her adversaries with ceaseless activity. She’s not the type to let her opponents settle into their rhythm easily, and against someone like Pennington, she’ll be looking to turn this into a gritty war. The way I see it, Pennington will undoubtedly have her moments of success, but Peña possesses the full arsenal needed to prevail and reclaim the championship. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Aakrit Sharma: As a women’s UFC fighter, it’s hard to have a bigger flex than beating Nunes. However, the rematch being a complete shutout definitely hurt Peña’s brand, with many questioning this title shot against Pennington. I do believe Peña to be tough and skilled enough to grab the belt from “Rocky,” though.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” should benefit greatly from setting the pace of the fight early on and mixing things up, as taking down the UFC women’s bantamweight champion won’t be an easy task. She’ll have to give the champ several things to worry about for winning on the scorecards as I don’t think either of them will be finished. My pick for this one is Peña winning by decision. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Consensus: 5-0 Julianna Peña
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I like watching Rountree a lot. His striking style is tons of fun to watch. He also certainly has the power and skill to knock anyone in this division out. I would have liked to have seen the Jamahal Hill fight first, though, because frankly, I’m not sure I could back anyone to beat Pereira when their best win is Anthony Smith.
Rountree is dangerous, but when you’re talking about Pereira, you’re talking about an all-time great in kickboxing. “Poatan” could get caught if he’s overly aggressive, but I think he’ll pick Rountree apart before ending it in the second. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: I’m excited for this fight. We all know the power that both of these guys possess. It should make for an exciting finish one way or another. As much as I like Rountree, I just don’t see him as a champion. I think the four-inch reach advantage that Pereira has will be the difference in this fight. Give me “Poatan” via second-round TKO. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Thomas Albano: I don’t want to come off like a Rountree hater – he has seemed like a cool dude in the interviews that he does. And stylistically, this fight can be fun considering how these two can be creative and powerful as strikers. Having said that (and yes, I know the UFC’s ranking system is skewed, but nevertheless…) why is the #8 contender getting a title shot? I truly feel that the UFC probably wanted Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for this card. But with that fight moved to UFC 308, and the UFC probably wanting a better headliner than Pennington vs. Peña, they called up Pereira to save their butts (again).
Pereira has retained the light heavyweight title against Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill. Rountree’s win streak, meanwhile, has seen him go through the likes of Smith, Chris Daukaus, and Karl Roberson. This will be a calculated kickboxing-style matchup as both men look for the key opportunity to land a devastating shot on the other. Unfortunately for Rountree, Pereira’s strikes are just too powerful, and he’s dominated against much stronger competition. You’ll see a frenzy if Rountree gets the win (lest anything else in the second half of 2024 UFC be crazier), but Pereira should probably take this in the first six minutes or so. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Pranav Pandey: From where I stand, this clash is one of the most direct and explosive matchups on the UFC 307 card. With both Pereira and Rountree being strikers, I don’t foresee any room for grappling or takedowns coming into play. Rountree has proven time and again that he can weather the storm against elite-tier kickboxers, and respond with even greater force. “The War Horse” boasts a lethal kicking arsenal, complemented by knockout power in his fists. However, ‘Poatan’ is far from an ordinary kickboxer, having carved a path through several former champions during his brief yet immensely successful tenure in the Octagon.
“Poatan’s” exceptional fight IQ and thunderous striking ability allow him to methodically dismantle his opponents. Rountree will need to close the distance early to nullify Pereira’s reach, but doing so may leave him dangerously exposed to Pereira’s counters, particularly his devastating left hook. I believe Pereira’s significant reach advantage, along with the unrelenting ferocity in his attacks, will overwhelm Rountree and make it incredibly difficult for him to land his best shots. The Brazilian’s calculated pressure and ability to dictate the fight’s tempo will likely cause Rountree to unravel under the onslaught. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Aakrit Sharma: Yes, Rountree can pull off a huge upset against Pereira if he lands a good shot. Will he, though? “Poatan” just looks unstoppable at the moment, and it seems to be a matter of time before he finds his opponent’s chin one way or another. Considering Glover Teixeira corners and trains Pereira, I actually won’t be surprised if the UFC light heavyweight champ shoots for a takedown and showcases some of his wrestling. Considering he’s already mastered striking and kickboxing, I’m sure Pereira focuses a lot on filling the holes in his game to prepare for opponents like Magomed Ankalaev.
Rountree’s a great striker and his momentum through a five-fight win streak is undeniable. “The War Horse” can trouble the champ with leg kicks and powerful shots, but I simply don’t see anyone taking out Pereira on the feet. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 5-0 Alex Pereira
That’ll do it for our UFC 307 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 307 card below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña
Bantamweight: José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland
Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley
Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Lightweight: Austin Hubbard vs. Alexander Hernandez
Middleweight: César Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria
Early Preliminary Card:
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Ovince Saint Preux
Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
Welterweight: Court McGee vs. Tim Means
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 307!
Kayla Harrison injected some much-needed new blood into the women’s bantamweight division with her debut win at UFC 300.
After the way she was able to dominate a former champion in Holly Holm, there was a serious conversation regarding whether she should go right into the next title fight.
Instead, Raquel Pennington will look to defend the belt for the first time this weekend at UFC 307 against former titleholder Julianna Peña.
Though she was disappointed to not get the title shot in her second fight, she has remained clear on the idea that whoever leaves Salt Lake City with the belt will simply be looking after it for her, until her time comes.
In another example of her supreme confidence that becoming the champion is a matter of if and not when, she said in a recent interview with ESPN MMA that she would come out on top even if you lined up the other three bantamweights on this card one after the other.
“That’s because nobody cares about that fight. I mean I feel like, whatever, let’s let them fight. I honestly believe that I could fight all three girls in the same night and be champion. When you’re the best in the world, you’re the best in the world and my time is now. I hope they hold on to that title real tight while they can cuz I’m coming.”
PFL founder Donn Davis isn’t letting up with his theories on why Kayla Harrison left his promotion to join the UFC.
Harrison’s time competing in the SmartCage, wherein she collected two titles at 155 pounds, came to an end following a bounce-back win over Aspen Ladd at last year’s championship event.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo completed a long-discussed switch to the UFC, shocking many by committing to a bantamweight future.
Debuting this past April, the American Top Team standout made the most of the major UFC 300 stage by dominantly submitting former champion Holly Holm to likely put her one victory away from a shot at the gold.
But while Harrison has the chance to achieve that this weekend at UFC 307 when she shares the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira, her decision to join MMA’s leading promotion is still being scrutinized.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that’s by her ex-employer…
Donn Davis: Kayla Harrison Left PFL For UFC Because Of Need For ‘Validation’
"I'm disappointed that we couldn't keep Kayla here for, what I think, are the two biggest fights of her legacy…I don't like that she ran from those."@DonnDavisPFL on Kayla Harrison leaving @PFLMMA to seek 'validation' in the UFC
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s MMA Today show with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban, Davis further addresses Harrison’s decision to continue her career away from the PFL.
He once again offered a negative take on the reasons behind Harrison’s departure, claiming she “ran” from another fight with Larissa Pacheco and long-awaited showdown with Cris Cyborg.
Davis also reiterated his belief that Harrison was seeking ‘validation’ that she shouldn’t need by competing under the UFC banner.
“We brought Kayla in from the Olympics, developed her into an 18-1 star, two-time champion, and one of the greatest women — top five in the sport today,” Davis said. “Nothing but pride for that and nothing but respect for Kayla. As a competitor, to build the company, I want every great fighter here.
“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t keep Kayla here for what I think are the two biggest fights of her legacy and her career: avenging Pacheco and winning the championship and beating Cyborg, who is the greatest ever,” Davis continued. “I don’t like that she ran from those. I don’t like that she ran to a brand to validate herself. I think so highly of Kayla Harrison, she doesn’t need a brand to validate her. … So that disappointed me.”
Regardless, Harrison is now forging a path to greatness in new surroundings. And having already achieved title glory in the SmartCage twice, the Ohio native is now looking to repeat the feat inside the Octagon and establish herself as among the UFC’s all-time greats.
The next step in that journey comes opposite Vieira this Saturday night in Salt Lake City, where a win is expected to book her spot opposite the bantamweight champion next time out.
Made a STATEMENT in her debut 💪@KaylaH looks for another impressive victory this weekend at #UFC307!
In fact, she had hoped to be fighting for the title in the fight that will happen later on in the night between the champion Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña.
There is potentially one scenario that could prevent this from happening, though, if a certain former champion decides that she wants her belt back.
Kayla Harrison Says She’s Happy For Amanda Nunes To Cut The Line Only After She Is Champion
Harrison has expressed some concern that Peña could hold the title up if she becomes champion this weekend because she isn’t the most active fighter on the roster.
Nunes announced her retirement in June last year and vacated the title in the process, meaning that she would seemingly be granted a title shot if “The Lioness” decided to step back in.
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Harrison said that she hopes this doesn’t happen, at least until she already has the belt in her hands.
“Yeah I mean, I hope not. I just don’t think she’ll ever fight me so I don’t think that her cutting the line, beating up Peña again and taking another big payday and then leaving, like that would really p*** me off. So I hope that I fight for the title and then if she wants to come cut the line, she’s more than welcome.”
UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison returns this Saturday night at UFC 307 to take on Ketlen Vieira in a huge fight for the division.
Harrison has been working hard on her overall MMA game in recent years to make sure that she is able to compete in all areas.
Every fight starts on the feet and developing her striking skills was always going to be an important part of her journey in the sport.
Describing it as a process of no longer “faking it till you make it”, the former PFL star is confident in her all-round MMA abilities in comparison with her opponent.
And as a two-time Olympic gold medallist in judo, there aren’t many people on the planet who can compete with her in her area of specialty either.
Kayla Harrison Fires Back At Henry Cejudo Over Fight Prediction
Cejudo made the case that with Vieira having some judo pedigree of her own, she might be able to keep the fight standing – where she could be a big problem for Harrison.
This take wasn’t particularly well received by the #3-ranked contender, who gave her response in a recent interview with Submission Radio.
Harrison believes that Cejudo’s point was meaningless due to the huge gap between a judo black belt and one of the all-time greats in the sport.
“I don’t know why the hell they’re talking about a judo black belt making a difference like there are levels. That would be like me telling Henry, ‘Oh this kid wrestling in varsity in high school so you’re gonna struggle to take him down’. Benign. Asinine. That’s all right, I look forward to showing once again why Henry is a jealous little man.”
After establishing herself as a dominant force outside MMA’s leading promotion, Harrison got her pursuit of gold in the UFC underway in strong fashion this past April with a submission win over former champ Holly Holm.
And by the sounds of things, recently retired UFC veteran Matt Brown has little doubt about who will have their hand raised in that matchup…
Brown On Harrison Joining BW Division: ‘If I’m The Champion, I’m Retiring’
During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown discussed Harrison’s successful arrival into the UFC women’s bantamweight division earlier this year.
Having seen the manner with which the Ohio native dispatched Holm, “The Immortal” doesn’t see anybody on the roster at 135 pounds capable of halting Harrison’s charge.
“I feel bad for the girls in that division. If I’m the champion, I’m retiring. If I’m Raquel Pennington or I’m Julianna Peña and I win the fight, I’m out. I’m pulling an Eddie Bravo here. Win the big one and I’m done,” Brown said. “I wasn’t quite as big of a believer until the way I watched her beat Holly Holm. Because I just didn’t know about the weight cut, and how she was going to perform (after) the weight cut, and sometimes people change when they come to the UFC. They’re just not what we thought they were when they were in a different organization.
“I think she answered every question very clearly. She’s going to come in, and I don’t think anybody has a chance against her,” Brown continued. “We’re on the way to the Kayla Harrison era. I think she wrecks everybody in that division, including Amanda if she comes back. I don’t think anybody stands a chance against Kayla. I think she is a major problem for everybody in there. … She is an absolute terror for this division.”
Harrison will look to prove Brown right come fight night in Salt Lake City this weekend, when she shares the card with another “terror” in UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.
The pair recently got familiar with one another on the mats, with Harrison teaching “Poatan” some judo moves. Her ability to take the Brazilian down is perhaps strong evidence for Brown’s prediction of dominance for the two-time Olympic gold medalist at 135 pounds.
With the title set to be defended in the co-main event of the evening, there’s a huge match-up earlier on in the night that could decide the next title challenger.
Former PFL star Kayla Harrison made a big impact on her Octagon debut at UFC 300, where she dominated Holly Holm before finding the finish.
Henry Cejudo Says Ketlen Vieira Can Be A Big Test For Kayla Harrison On The Feet
It cannot be overlooked how big of an opportunity this fight also is for Brazil’s Vieira.
As the #2-ranked contender in the division, a win will also guarantee her a title shot thanks to the wins she has been able to accumulate in recent years.
Vieira did lost a split decision to the current champion Raquel Pennington but beating Harrison will be a massive statement for her.
On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo outlined where he believes that Vieira could win this fight despite the confidence that surrounds Harrison right now.
“It’s hard to bet against a girl like Kayla Harrison but I think out of all the girls right now at 135-pounds that could match her strength, because you know Vieira’s a Judo blackbelt as well and she’s got, in my opinion, she has better hands than Harrison. So it’s going to come down to the wrestling and I do feel like Kayla Harrison is going to bring the wrestling in and that’s just what’s going to change it. But, if Vieira can keep it on her feet, I think Kayla could be in trouble dude. Her striking is no joke man.”
At UFC 307, she will fight Ketlen Vieira on the same night that Raquel Pennington defends the title against Julianna Peña.
If Harrison is able to go out there and put on a dominant performance like she did on her Octagon debut at UFC 300, there will be no denying that she is next for the winner of the co-main event.
The former PFL star is raring to go with dreams of becoming a UFC champion seemingly now within her reach.
There is one potential issue with her plan and that involves hearing “and new” on October 5, in Salt Lake City.
Kayla Harrison Says Juliana Peña Taking Time Off As Champion Would Be Frustrating For Her
Harrison has made it pretty clear that though the belt is her main objective, beating Peña for it would be an added incentive following their back-and-forth comments in recent times.
In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, it was mentioned that if Peña does win the bantamweight title back, it could be a while before we see her defend it.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” hasn’t fought in over two years and has never been the most active fighter on the roster to begin with.
Harrison said that though she doesn’t want to waste her energy thinking about a problem that is out of her hands, it would be very frustrating for her if she has to wait for Peña to defend the belt.
“I try not to [think about the long breaks] because control what you can control and trust the UFC, trust that they have a plan but yeah, that would really p*** me off. I’m looking to stay active so hopefully… all is well, I can’t control it. It’s out of my hands but yeah.”
Kayla Harrison recently shared her thoughts on the crucial role of being a positive influence, particularly for the younger generation. She stands as a beacon of mastery in women’s combat sports. Her unmatched accomplishments speak volumes, positioning her as the very definition of greatness.
Harrison began her judo career in 2008, swiftly dominating her competition at both the Junior and World Judo Championships with an unstoppable streak. She then carried that momentum into the 2012 London Olympics, where she etched her name in history by securing the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in judo.
Harrison replicated her Olympic triumph at the 2016 Rio Games, claiming her second gold medal in the 78 kg division. Following this historic achievement, the 34-year-old Ohio native set her sights on the world of MMA. She made her debut under the PFL banner in July 2018, and within just two years, she ascended to the top, capturing the promotion’s women’s lightweight championship.
After an impressive 16-1 run in the PFL, Harrison made her long-awaited UFC debut in spectacular fashion, dismantling former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 this past April – that too in bantamweight, a weight class she had never previously competed in.
Harrison’s career has been marked by nothing but success, and she remains focused on staying above the fray in her quest to be a shining example for others to follow.
Harrison On Being Role Model: ‘I Take It Very Seriously’
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Harrison was asked about leveraging her popularity to inspire young girls to pursue MMA. The former PFL lightweight champion expressed that being a role model is a responsibility she takes to heart, and it remains one of her ongoing goals.
“My goal is always to be the light in the world that I want to see,” Harrison said. “I take being a role model very seriously. I consider it an honor and a responsibility.”
“That’s why, hopefully, knock on wood; as long as I don’t have a nervous breakdown, you’ll never see me with DUIs or scandals or anything like that because of how I carry myself. I want little girls and boys all over the world to know that if you work hard, surround yourself with people who believe in you and believe in yourself; there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”
Now, she’ll return to France in pursuit of righting the wrong from 2022 and further advancing her ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.
To achieve victory inside the Accor Arena at the second time of trying, Pérez must stall the surge of Dariya Zheleznyakova, a 9-1 bantamweight who boasts history competing on French soil owing to her days under the Ares FC banner.
Despite that, “Fiona” expects an easy night at the office come fight night on Saturday. And after making a statement, she plans to put her crosshairs on a big name in the division…
Pérez Targeting Harrison Clash: ‘That’s The Fight I Need To Prove I’m Worthy!’
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pérez predicted a comfortable victory in Paris and reiterated her desire to hand Kayla Harrison the first defeat of her UFC career.
“Fiona” outlined her intention to request a maiden main event from CEO Dana White following this weekend’s event, and be it Harrison or another of the division’s high-ranked names, the 29-year-old wants to stake her claim for a title shot.
“After finishing Darya, I’m going to ask my friend Dana White for a main event fight, preferably against Kayla Harrison,” Perez said in Spanish (translation by Danny Segura). “We’re still insisting on that fight because that’s the fight I need to prove I’m worthy of fighting for a belt.
“If not, Norma (Dumont) if she stops running from me. She only wants to fight with people above her in the rankings, and that’s OK, but part of the reason why she’s in the rankings is that she hasn’t fought and lost to me. So Dumont or Julianna Peña, who’s a punching bag.”
For now, Harrison has another assignment to focus on ahead of an expected title shot down the line.
After dominating Holly Holm on debut at UFC 300, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL title winner will meet Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 early next month. The winner is expected to challenge whomever emerges from the championship co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña with the title.
With that in mind, Pérez may be a few wins away from earning a crack at Harrison. But should she defend her spot in the top 15 against her Russian foe on Sept. 28, a bigger assignment would no doubt await her next time out.
Kayla Harrison recently opened up about her lingering rivalry with Amanda Nunes, voicing her wish for the Brazilian to come out of retirement.
One of the MMA world’s most tantalizing “what if” matchups has long centered around a potential showdown between Harrison and Nunes. Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, spent the majority of her MMA career in the PFL before making her highly anticipated UFC debut this past April. The former PFL women’s lightweight champion’s move to the UFC sparked renewed speculation about a possible clash with “The Lioness”.
The biggest hurdle to making this super fight a reality is that Nunes had already hung up her gloves following a unanimous decision win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023. That was nearly a year ago when “Doug” made her first Octagon appearance against Holly Holm at UFC 300.
Harrison and Nunes share a rich history, having long expressed mutual interest in facing off ever since their days as training partners at American Top Team (ATT) in Florida. However, following her shocking loss to Julianna Peña at UFC 269 in December 2021, “The Lioness” chose to sever ties with the gym.
Nunes later disclosed that her decision to leave ATT was fueled by unease, as she often found herself training alongside two fighters who could potentially become her opponents, Harrison and Yana Kunitskaya, making her departure feel inevitable.
Harrison Hopes For Nunes’ Return to Settle Unfinished Business
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, the former Olympic gold medalist shared her thoughts on Nunes, who had hinted at a possible comeback after witnessing Harrison’s victory over Holm at UFC 300. However, since then, Nunes has gone completely silent, leaving Harrison and fans in suspense over whether the long-anticipated showdown will ever happen.
The 34-year-old Ohio native clarified that there’s no bad blood between her and “The Lioness”, yet she remains hopeful that the former two-division UFC champion will come out of retirement to face her.
“Selfishly, I hope that she does [come out of retirement], but again, I have no beef with Amanda other than her trying to throw American Top Team under the bus,” Harrison said. “You don’t play or don’t f**k with my homies. But listen, if she’s happy and she’s living her dream, that’s great, but selfishly, I would love for her to come back so that I can put all of the noise to rest.”
Former PFL star Kayla Harrison is set to return at UFC 307 where she faces Ketlen Vieira in a huge fight for the bantamweight division.
With Vieira being ranked at #2 and Harrison at #3, the next title contender will surely be whichever woman gets her hand raised in Salt Lake City.
However, some fans, and Harrison herself, questioned after her debut at UFC 300 whether she would need to get another win before jumping right into the title picture.
Coming into the UFC as an already established name and dominating a former champion in Holly Holm like she did was a perfect introduction for the former Olympic Judoka.
Rather than being frustrated that she isn’t in the next women’s bantamweight title fight which takes place the very same night, Harrison believes that it is only a matter of time.
Kayla Harrison Isn’t Bitter About Not Getting Next Bantamweight Title Fight
Instead, Raquel Pennington became the champion after defeating Mayra Bueno Silva which then set the new titleholder up for a first defense against the number one contender in Peña.
Harrison spoke in an interview with MMA Fighting about how it doesn’t bother her that there was an order for who gets the next title shot because of where the division was at after Nunes stepped away.
She referenced how the UFC and Dana White had an agreement with Peña which they didn’t break even if putting Harrison straight into a title fight after her debut would have been a big move by the promotion.
Instead, she’s focused on beating Vieira and challenging the winner in the near future.
“I’m ready for everyone in the division, I’m ready to go out there and prove that I am the best in the world and I deserve to be UFC champion. Having said that, I think that a lot people wanted me to fight for the title but from what I understand, Dana is a man of his word and he made a promise to Juliana and so it’s her turn now but you know, whoever wins that fight, enjoy it while you can. That’s all I got to say about that.”
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison doesn’t believe Julianna Peña’s rise has been down to fighting ability.
Both women are in pursuit of the 135-pound belt, and it’ll be Peña who first gets a crack at two-time status before the ex-PFL champion gets the chance to realize her title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.
Also in action on the pay-per-view lineup in Salt Lake City will be Harrison, who is tasked with following her successful UFC debut opposite Holly Holm with a triumph over the #2-ranked Ketlen Vieira.
The decision to grant the ex-titleholder a shot in her comeback fight over Harrison caused debate in the MMA community. And when it comes to the position Peña finds herself in, Harrison thinks the reasons are unrelated to talent.
Harrison Theorizes On ‘Annoying’ Peña’s Position
During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Harrison touched on her growing and evidently bitter feud with Peña, which peaked when the former UFC champ accused the two-time Olympic gold medalist of PED use.
“She’s annoying,” Harrison said. “I mean, she’s just low class. To me — I don’t know. I think it’s pathetic and it’s low class. She’s just looking for a built-in excuse for when I whoop her ass.”
Harrison then addressed to what extent she believes Peña’s often brash and vocal nature has paved the way for her success on MMA’s biggest stage, her tenure on which began with victory on The Ultimate Fighter way back in 2013.
“No,” Harrison responded when asked if Peña would be in her current position without utilizing trash talk. “I think Juliana’s pretty, I think she’s tough as nails, and I think she’s got a big mouth. Sometimes that’s all you need to get to a certain point.
“But eventually, you run into a bigger, badder dog than you who might have a bigger mouth than you,” Harrison warned. “So keep f*cking running it.”
Before the pair get the chance to settle their beef inside the Octagon, both will have to emerge victorious from UFC 307 on October 5. In doing so, Peña will look to answer Harrison’s claim by letting her fighting do the talking once the cage door closes behind her and Pennington.
Kayla Harrison fighting Cris Cyborg is a fight that has been spoken about for many years, but looks to be completely off the table at this stage.
The former PFL and Bellator champions could’ve put on one of the biggest fights possible outside of the UFC but with Harrison signing to the MMA leader, it wasn’t possible even with Cyborg joining the PFL in the Bellator acquisition.
Now, on October 19, Cyborg will fight a PFL champion but it will instead be the only woman to have beaten the former Olympic Judoka during her pro career.
Larissa Pacheco has won back-to-back PFL tournaments including her shock upset win over the former champ in 2023.
Kayla Harrison Picks Larissa Pacheco To Defeat Cris Cyborg, Says Age A Key Factor
In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Harrison picked Pacheco to get the better of Cyborg when they clash at PFL: Battle Of The Giants.
The bout is set to be the co-main event for the debut of the promotion’s PPV Super Fights division, which will see both the winner of this fight and the main event between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira receive a new Super Fights belt.
Harrison said that as long as Pacheco hasn’t lost her dedication, after being able to earn a lot of money, she has the edge in this fight.
“I think Pacheco wins. She’s young, I mean unless she’s been goofing off, you know. Couple mil will do that sometimes. Couple mil in the bank account makes it hard to get out of bed but she’s young, she’s hungry, she keeps getting better, she’s got real power. Cyborg’s at the end of her career.”
Harrison then elaborated on the idea that in her opinion, Cyborg is in the final stages of her career now at 39 years old, which gives Pacheco an advantage.
The Brazilian MMA icon made her pro debut back in 2005, whereas Pacheco wouldn’t make hers until seven years after in 2012.
“Yeah I think she’s a little bit older and I just think that we like we haven’t seen a lot of progress from her like I don’t see her fight IQ growing. I haven’t seen progression really, she fights the same way now that she fought, you know, however long ago so I think Pacheco is gonna win.”
Two major names are reportedly set to be in action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view, targeted for Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.
Legendary former featherweight champion José Aldo and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison have their returns in the works for the numbered event, with the former being lined up to face Mario Bautista and the latter expected to share the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira.
Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement on home soil this past May, outpointing Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. Having fought out his contract, uncertainty surrounded “Junior’s” status and future plans.
But in spite of boxing talk, Ag. Fight reported this week that the Brazilian has committed to another outing inside the Octagon.
BREAKING! UFC encaminha Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista para o dia 5 de outubro
The outlet also corroborated a previous report from Super Lutas’ Léo Guimaraes, who was the first to reveal plans for Harrison and Vieira to collide at UFC 307.
EXCLUSIVO: Ketlen Vieira x Kayla Harrison sendo trabalhado para acontecer. Expectativa é que seja em 5 de outubro, UFC 307 pic.twitter.com/CqG6RBCybE
— Léo Walker Guimaraes (@leoguimaraesmma) July 26, 2024
Aldo Targets Second Win Since Return, Harrison Looks For Second UFC Win Since PFL Switch
Should these two matchups be confirmed, both Aldo and Harrison will be looking to build on strong outings in the first half of this year.
Aldo (32-8) originally brought his MMA career to an end after his pursuit of a second bantamweight title shot was stalled by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. Prior to that, he’d reeled off three straight wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font.
The ex-featherweight kingpin, who fell short of two-division glory opposite Petr Yan in the summer of 2020, went on to compete in three boxing matches, winning two and fighting to a majority draw against fellow UFC vet Jeremy Stephens.
He subsequently made his successful comeback to the cage in Rio this year, returning to the rankings at #8 as a result. He’s next tasked with defending his position on the ladder against the #12-ranked Bautista (14-2), a teammate of champion Sean O’Malley’s who has had his hand raised in six consecutive bouts. His most recent triumph came at the expense of Ricky Simón this past January.
Image: Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC
Harrison (17-1) transitioned from judo, a sport in which she collected back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, to mixed martial arts and joined the PFL. After winning two lightweight seasons, her bid for a third title came to a halt in the final opposite Larissa Pacheco.
After returning with a victory over Aspen Ladd last November, the Ohio native committed to a UFC switch and a venture down at bantamweight. That foray got underway in strong style this past April, where she thrilled the UFC 300 crowd by submitting a former champion in Holly Holm.
Having entered the title picture at #3, Harrison will need to get through the #2-ranked Vieira (14-3) if she’s to book her first championship opportunity in the UFC. The Brazilian is coming off a decision victory over Pannie Kianzad in July 2023, a result that saw her bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of now-champ Raquel Pennington.
With these additions, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC 307 on October 5 are as follows:
Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, was impressed by how quickly UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira got to grips with the martial art.
Both Harrison and Pereira have found significant success in mixed martial arts after originally making their names in other sports.
But judging by Harrison’s comments after hitting the mats with “Poatan” last month, a career in a grappling discipline is seemingly not that far-fetched…
Harrison Reflects On Training With UFC Peer Pereira
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Harrison reflected on her training session with the UFC light heavyweight kingpin.
“He was showing me the videos of him training and he was kicking — dude, I wish he would release this one. Oh my god, he like, did the move I taught him and then did the move you do if the (first) move doesn’t work,” Harrison said. “I was like, ‘Dude, you look like a judo (athlete).’ It’s crazy how fast he picks stuff up. He looked like a legit judo (athlete).
“I also grappled with Alex. Dude, he’s a strong mothertrucker,” Harrison continued. “Obviously he didn’t really grapple with me, but I just felt his natural — f*cking fixing tyres must build like, a different kind of (strength).”
The former middleweight and reigning light heavyweight champ was previously awarded his legitimate black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu following his knockout of Hill at UFC 300.
Should she become a two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña plans to settle some unfinished business.
Peña hasn’t competed in almost two years, having not made the walk since losing the 135-pound strap in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277 in Dallas, Texas, back in the summer of 2022.
The result brought “The Venezuelan Vixen’s” reign to a sudden halt six months on from her memorable and shocking submission of the “Lioness.”
While the pair were set to complete their trilogy last June in Canada, an injury suffered by Peña in training forced her out. In her place stepped Irene Aldana on short notice, and after outpointing the Mexican at UFC 289, Nunes laid down her two belts and announced her retirement.
A bemused Peña booed from cageside and has since expressed confidence that the Brazilian hasn’t permanently hung up the gloves. And she expects to prove as much by drawing Nunes back to the cage after bringing Raquel Pennington’s divisional rule to a close later this year…
Peña: Nunes Fight Would Be The ‘Biggest Trilogy In Women’s Combat Sports’
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Peña looked ahead to her long-awaited return to action and revealed what she hopes will follow a planned second title crowning.
While two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ Kayla Harrison made a splash in her Octagon debut by getting the better of Holly Holm, “The Venezuelan Vixen” has other plans when it comes to her first defense should she unseat Pennington.
“I still feel like the spidey senses and all that, that she (Nunes) will come back, and it’s just a matter of time before she does,” Peña said. “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. I want to fight Raquel, I want my belt back, I’m getting my belt back. After that, I will absolutely be calling out Amanda, and I believe that she absolutely will come back because it’s too big of a fight for her.
“Of course, (I’ll call out Nunes, not Harrison). That’s like if I win the belt, I should also call out Ronda (Rousey), you know what I mean? Ronda has been escaping these fights with me for years. … Those are fights that I want. I want big fights, I want big money fights,” Peña continued, before being asked if she sees the Nunes trilogy as bigger than a Harrison bout. “Absolutely. We’re 1-1, unfinished business. … This would be the biggest trilogy in women’s combat sports.”
I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old. You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me. and the only shot in the ass people need around u is anti-nausea medication. https://t.co/rjEuoOBjVr
While the stage has long been set for a rivalry between Peña and Harrison even before the latter’s UFC signing, it would appear that the former bantamweight queen has no immediate plans to settle it inside the Octagon.
UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison didn’t take too kindly to some allegations recently made by former champion Julianna Peña.
A rivalry has long been brewing between Harrison and Peña, even prior to the former’s successful arrival on MMA’s biggest stage this past April at UFC 300.
On the milestone card, the two-time Olympic gold medalist followed two doses of championship success under the PFL banner with a long-awaited UFC debut. In one of the night’s best performances, Harrison submitted ex-bantamweight queen Holly Holm.
That result left many calling for the Ohio native to receive a quick shot at the gold, but she’ll have to wait her turn while Peña attempts to dethrone Raquel Pennington.
And “The Venezuelan Vixen” was firm in insisting that she’s more deserving than Harrison during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, and she also made some bold claims about the UFC newcomer and her team.
“Stay off the needle, bro. … Maybe not now,” Peña said when asked if she thinks Harrison is on steroids. “But definitely in the past. Absolutely. There’s no question. … I just already have the mindset that people are cheating. Especially from ATT (American Top Team), 100 percent at ATT.
“When Dan Lambert flew me out there after I won The Ultimate Fighter, they literally told me that all the girls are in the bathroom shooting each other in the ass with the steroids,” Peña added.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take Harrison long to respond…
Harrison On Peña’s PED Claim: ‘I Have Been Tested By USADA Since I Was 12’
Although Harrison would appear to be waiting in the wings for the winner of Pennington vs. Peña, which is expected to take place at UFC 307 in Utah this October, the challenger has other plans.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” told Helwani that after regaining the 135-pound belt, she plans on calling out former two-division champ Amanda Nunes instead of Harrison.
When responding to and vehemently denying Peña’s PED allegation on X/Twitter, Harrison accused the former titleholder of finding “every excuse in the world” to avoid sharing the Octagon with her.
I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old. You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me. and the only shot in the ass people need around u is anti-nausea medication. https://t.co/rjEuoOBjVr
“I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old,” Harrison wrote. “You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me. and the only shot in the ass people need around u is anti-nausea medication.”
And the two-time PFL champ has also welcomed a potential clash with the retired Nunes. After the “Lioness” bemoaned her ex-teammate for not calling her out at UFC 300, Harrison has offered to fight the Brazilian while Pennington and Peña settle their grudge later this year.
Renowned combat sports reporter Ariel Helwani has further expanded on his firm criticism of Professional Fighters League executive Donn Davis.
Throughout the PFL’s existence, the promotion’s higher-ups gave pushed forth the idea that the SmartCage is the place to be for fighters who want to valued and treated fairly.
That notion, however, has taken a hit in 2024.
While the acquisition of Bellator MMA was advertised as the PFL going from strength to strength, the main topic of discussion in recent times has surrounded fighter complaints, particularly from some of those who crossed over as a result of the merger.
Both Gegard Mousasi and Douglas Lima have accused the promotion of keeping them sidelined due to the high figures on their contracts, with the former recently released as a result. Elsewhere, Sobah Homasi has bemoaned his struggle at getting reimbursed for medical bills, while both Larissa Pacheco and Cris Cyborg have spoken out about their struggle to secure a fight.
Most recently, the PFL’s “fighter-first” claim came into question after its founder and chairman opted to fire shots at one of his promotion’s all-time most successful fighters.
Weeks on from Kayla Harrison’s successful Octagon debut at UFC 300, Davis branded her a “follower who needs validation.” The comments drew significant backlash, with Helwani among the most vocal…
Helwani Tells Davis: Take A Page Out Of Coker’s Book!
During a recent interview with UFC legend and current ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson, Helwani expanded on his criticism of Davis’ remarks and explained why the NBA analogy he used to fire shots at Harrison made little sense.
“Don’t get me started on this. This is crazy to me. When I saw that — it’s so crazy to me on so many different levels,” Helwani said. “Number one, the analogy doesn’t even fit… First of all, LeBron (James) left Cleveland to go join Miami and create a super team, and thus he won two championships with Miami. Doesn’t really fit there. But he’s taking a shot at Kayla by saying Kayla is more Kevin Durant… (Saying) the only way Kevin Durant could win a championship is by joining this super power… The analogy doesn’t work for multiple reasons. Number one, Kayla Harrison had already won championships with PFL!
“Who’s the big fight (for Harrison in the PFL)? Larissa Pacheco (because) she beat her? Guess what, Kayla beat her twice! You want them to fight a fourth time? None of those fights drew a dime!… Cyborg? Okay, first of all, as of right this moment, Cyborg isn’t on the same page as the PFL and is openly complaining. There’s no guarantee that that fight would ever happen as well,” Helwani continued. “Now let’s compare that to the UFC, where you have a slew of new blood, a slew of new faces.”
Helwani went on to reveal that he’d exchanged texts with the PFL chief after posting a tweet criticizing his remarks about Harrison.
Although he didn’t divulge both sides of the conversation, the Canadian journalist outlined the message he tried to hammer home to Davis.
“I like Donn Davis a lot… (But) if you want to be known as the fighter-first organization, you can’t be taking shots at a two-time gold medalist, a two-time champion in your organization. You can’t be doing that,” Helwani stated. “You need to do what Scott Coker did when Michael Chandler left, who was the face of Bellator. ‘Good luck, we wish you the best, we’ll be rooting for you.’
“I had a bit of a text conversation with Donn after I tweeted this. I’m not gonna talk about what we talked about, but what I tried to explain to him — I’ll say what I said to him, I won’t say what he said to me — we can debate who’s tougher, Pacheco or (Holly) Holm, Cyborg or (Amanda) Nunes, but here’s what your missing: Kayla Harrison going from 155 to 135 (pounds) is a challenge greater than all these people combined. That’s the part that you’re missing! … That challenge alone is worth our respect. You have to recognize that, Donn. The fact that you’re not, to me, will only tell other fighters and fans, hey, maybe this guy doesn’t get it,” Helwani concluded.
Nevertheless, given the recent saga, it would appear that PFL has some work to do if it’s to convince the masses of its legitimacy as a fighter-first promotion.
Some fighter mis-info and half-info swirling today …
To be clear – we always honor all fighter contracts. Further, we aim to be fair, often beyond what legal requires.
Nobody gets exactly what they want all the time – different point than honoring contracts.
