Former Olympic champion and two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has signed with the UFC. The news was announced by UFC president Dana White late Tuesday night.
She'll be making her debut at bantamweight when she fights Holly Holm at UFC 300 in April.
Breaking News: UFC has signed Kayla Harrison!#UFC300 Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison pic.twitter.com/jQeLItwQmO
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2024
This signing is particularly important considering Harrison has always been the face of PFL. Many fans had wondered why she was appearing on the PFL vs. Bellator card in February versus Cris "Cyborg" Justino, and now we know why.
MMA Twitter was in shock over the news, but overall please by the addition of Harrison to the UFC roster.
Holy Holm vs Kayla Harrison? Interesting.
— Derrick T. Lewis (@TheRealDTLew) January 24, 2024
Amanda Nunes teasing a return all makes sense now. If Kayla Harrison gets past Holly Holm, they’ll probably fight next.#UFC #MMA
— Giancarlo Aulino (@Gian_411) January 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison beats Holly Holm
— JDiaz (@longlostDiaz) January 24, 2024
@EASPORTSUFC is Kayla Harrison gonna be to the game in the next update?????? #UFC300
— Bryan Hopkins (@RealBHopkins) January 24, 2024
Holy fuck https://t.co/jPi0zRNKus
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) January 24, 2024
No way yall are complaining about Kayla Harrison vs Holly Holm. I’m hyped!
— Jack (@jackwalterrr) January 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison avoided Cyborg so hard she went to another promotion. Yikes.
— Shak (@GoodBroMedia) January 24, 2024
Harrison got back in the win column at the PFL Finals in November after losing her first ever professional bout to Larissa Pacheco in 2022. Before that she won 15 straight.
Holm is the former UFC bantamweight champion, best known for being the first woman to defeat Ronda Rousey (who also happened to be a Judo Olympic medalist).
She is coming off a loss, which was later overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test. Her opponent, Mayra Bueno Silva served her suspension and already had a title fight, while Holm has not fought since.