Megan Anderson wonders if Kayla Harrison’s cut to bantamweight will affect strength vs. ‘specimen’ Holly Holm
January 27, 2024 2:45 pm ET
If Kayla Harrison is too depleted after cutting down to 136 pounds, Megan Anderson expects her to struggle.
Two-time PFL lightweight champion Harrison (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes her octagon debut against former UFC champ Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) in a bantamweight bout at UFC 300 on April 13 in Las Vegas.
Harrison will attempt to reach 136 pounds for the first time in her career. Despite that, the the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka opened up as a big favorite against Holm. Anderson, who was taken down four times in a unanimous decision loss to Holm in 2018, thinks Harrison could have a hard time against Holm if the weight cut takes a toll on her body.
âWith those weight cuts, too, will the strength be there?â Anderson said on her YouTube channel. âShe likes to use her strength, she likes to use her physical prowess in her fights, but will that still be there dropping to a weight class that sheâs never dropped before?
âIf sheâs cutting a significant amount of weight, that increases the risk of not being able to rehydrate correctly, which then increases the risk of knockouts, of getting rocked with punches that she wouldnât have been at a higher weight class. Holly Holm, out of every single opponent in my entire career, is physically the strongest opponent I have ever faced. Sheâs a f*cking specimen.â
During an Instagram live on Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White claimed that Harrison has already made 135 pounds a couple of times in test cuts. But Anderson doesnât only question if Harrisonâs weight cut will negatively impact her, but her ability to use her striking to get to Holm.
âShe has shown sheâs had some issues closing the range,â Anderson said. âItâs not just going to be with the Holly fight. Itâs going to be with a lot of these girls. Theyâve seen the blueprint on how to beat a judoka that doesnât know how to close the range in Ronda Rousey. ⊠Holly may not have the power, particularly in her hands to drop somebody, but sheâs a master at range. She plays a patient game.â
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkieâs event hub for UFC 300.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
Ok
Nice
Kk