Miesha Tate sees Kayla Harrison having rough time in UFC bantamweight division: “It’s not the best move”
Miesha Tate couldn’t believe the news that Kayla Harrison would be cutting down to 135 pounds for her UFC debut.
UFC CEO Dana White dropped a bombshell when he announced that former PFL champion Kayla Harrison will be featured on the UFC 300 card on April 13. She’ll be facing former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm at 135 pounds. When Harrison competed under the PFL banner, she was in the lightweight division.
It’s a significant change in weight class, and Tate doesn’t think it’s in Harrison’s best interest.
Miesha Tate Feels Kayla Harrison Is In For Harsh Road In UFC
During an edition of MMA Today, Miesha Tate told RJ Clifford and UFC strawweight Angela Hill that Kayla Harrison might be biting off more than she can chew (via MMAFighting.com).
"If you're asking me who I think is going to win that fight, looking at it right now, I'd say Holly."@MieshaTate breaks down the x-factors of the #UFC300 matchup between Kayla Harrison & Holly Holm.
MMA Today | 🎙️ @RJcliffordMMA @AngieOverkill pic.twitter.com/bKdLXtnwt3
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) January 26, 2024
“When I saw it was at 135, I was shocked, because Kayla Harrison begged for 155-pound division at PFL and she got it and I think she’s been great there,” Tate told SiriusXM. “She’s been tremendous. I know she’s made 145 before, I think it was tough for her. I think 135 is going to really suck the life out of her, and it’s not the best move.
“I guess I’m speaking from personal experience, because when I went down to 125—although I did it and I still had a pretty decent camp—I just didn’t perform at my best, and I think Kayla is just used to being such a big, strong woman, that she won’t have that on her side, and I’m really curious to see how that’s going to benefit her with someone like Holly, who really does move so well. She really has some of the best footwork in the women’s divisions, and I think that’s going to be tough for Kayla.”
Harrison has a pro MMA record of 16-1. Her lone loss was a unanimous decision against fierce rival Larissa Pacheco in their third meeting. Harrison ended her PFL run on a high note, dominating former UFC fighter Aspen Ladd en route to a unanimous decision.
