On the prelims of UFC 300, we saw the highly anticipated octagon debut of a former Olympic Gold Medalist and PFL champion. Kayla Harrison (16-1) made her octagon debut tonight and facing her was former bantamweight champion Holly Holm (15-6, 1 NC).
This was Holm’s first fight since her No Contest against Mayra Bueno Silva last July. Holm was submitted in that fight but it was overturned to a No Contest after Silva popped for ADHD medication. Had Holm won that fight, she might’ve been challenging for the bantamweight title. She still got a big fight in the end as she welcomed Kayla Harrison to the octagon.
Harrison is a two-time Gold Medalist and a former two-time PFL champion. She fell short in her quest for a three-peat in 2022 but came back at the championships event in 2023 and won a decision over Aspen Ladd. Tonight, she was looking to put the UFC bantamweights on notice that a new queen has arrived.
UFC 300 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 300 prelim kicked off with a touch of the gloves. Harrison takes the center and she starts working the feints. Jab from Harrison starts the striking. Another jab from Harrison and now a low kick. Front kick up the middle from Harrison. Front kick and jab from Harrison. Body lock from Holm and Harrison trips her to the ground.
Scramble and Harrison ends up on the back. Harrison explodes and immediately gets back to her feet. Harrison pushes Holm against the fence. Holm goes for a trip and Harrison takes her down. Big elbows from Harrison. Harrison postures up and lands more big elbows. Harrison is dominating the position here.
Holm continues to try and get out of this spot but Harrison is just beating her up here. Harrison has full control here and she’s just unloading on the former UFC champion. Holm has no answer on the ground and there’s just more hammers coming down from Harrison. The round ends and it’s a dominant opening frame from Kayla Harrison.
Round 2
Entering the second round at UFC 300 and Holly Holm needs to keep this fight standing at all costs. Holm is light on her feet circling on the outside. Holm comes in with a combination and Harrison looks composed. Big right hand just misses from Harrison. Big head kick from Harrison and she gets a body lock.
Judo throw from Harrison and she immediately gets the back of Holm. Harrison immediately gets a rear naked choke and Holm taps immediately. Brutally dominant performance by Kayla Harrison at UFC 300.
Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm by Submission – Round 2