Kayla Harrison admits that cutting down to bantamweight is a challenging process for her body.
Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is set to challenge bantamweight champion Julianna Peña (11-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) in the UFC 316 co-main event on June 7 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson expressed her concerns about Harrison’s ability to sustain a long run at 135 pounds due to the strenuous weight cut. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka and two-time PFL champion, openly discussed the difficult process, including experiencing health issues such as peeing blood leading up to her last fight at UFC 307.
Speaking on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Harrison described the weight cut as “torture,” but emphasized that she believes the rewards are worth the sacrifice. She acknowledged the mental challenges and the toll it takes on her body, urging others not to follow the same path. Despite the difficulties, she trusts her team and is committed to making the process as safe and healthy as possible.
Harrison previously competed at lightweight in PFL and successfully made the cut to featherweight for a fight in Invicta FC in 2020. Since joining the UFC in 2024, she has fought at 136 pounds twice, securing victories over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. However, she faces her toughest cut yet as she prepares to reach the 135-pound limit for her title bout against Peña at UFC 316.
For more information about the event, check out MMA Junkie’s coverage of UFC 316.
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