Former UFC champion Miesha Tate predicts Holly Holm to upset Kayla Harrison's UFC debut at UFC 300.
Speaking to MMA on Sirius XM, Tate revealed she was "shocked" when she found out Harrison and Holm were fighting at bantamweight:
"When I saw it was at 135 I was shocked," Tate explained. ".... 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."
Harrison has historically fought at 155 lbs in the PFL, a cut to 135 in the UFC is a two-division drop in weight. Tate believes this could work against her:
"I think Kayla is really used to being such a big strong woman [and] she won't have that on her side [at UFC 300]. .... If you're asking me who I think is gonna win that fight looking at it right now, I would say Holly."
One person backing Harrison to make weight is UFC CEO Dana White, who alleged that the ex-PFL champion had made several test cuts to bantamweight.
Harrison herself has said that she will "lose a piece" of herself making the weight cut:
"I mean 135 will challenge me in ways like I’m going to have to lose a piece of me to be able to fight at 135 pounds," Harrison told MMA Fighting. "I think just structurally, I carry a lot of muscle. I’m already kind of lean, so I’m going to have to lose muscle. I’m going to have to change my entire lifestyle. I mean I have already done that to fight at 145."
Like with most fights, the biggest battle will be fought in preparation. Weight cuts are a grueling procedure in most fight camps, and it looks to be especially the case with Harrison's UFC debut.
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