Achieving championship weight for UFC 316 presented significant hurdles for Kayla Harrison, the newly crowned UFC women`s bantamweight champion.
Concerns were raised among fans and experts alike regarding the well-being of Harrison following a difficult weigh-in prior to UFC 316. Although she ultimately secured the bantamweight title in Newark, the process of making weight took a severe toll on her body before her fight against Julianna Peña.
Harrison concluded an impressive run in the UFC by claiming the championship, submitting Julianna Peña late in the second round of their highly anticipated bout. Harrison dominated the reigning champion throughout the fight, solidifying her status with a decisive victory.
While achieving a major career milestone at UFC 316, Harrison endured considerable physical hardship in the lead-up to the event.
Details of Kayla Harrison`s Rigorous 15-Week Journey to Make 135 lbs
Harrison`s appearance at Friday`s weigh-in, where she successfully made the 135 lbs limit, caused concern among observers due to her visibly depleted state. This was only her third time competing at this weight class in her career. Harrison later alluded to the intense preparation she undertook for weeks, suggesting that few could have endured the demanding process she survived.
Speaking in a recent interview, Harrison elaborated on her demanding 15-week preparation:
“Many people talk the talk, but few walk the walk. For the past 12 weeks, I haven`t missed a single day of doing six miles of running, walking, swimming, or biking. On Sundays, it was eight miles. For the last 12 to 15 weeks, I`ve strictly followed a diet plan with food prepared by my chef and nutritionist, allowing myself just one scoop of peanut butter when I felt on the verge of passing out or desperately craved sugar.”
“I`ve been through difficult times, but what emerged from those experiences is an unbreakable spirit and unshakeable faith. I`m truly proud of that, and that`s what this belt signifies.”
Following her successful but challenging weight cut at UFC 316, Harrison will need to consistently meet the 135 lbs requirement for future fights if she aims for a long and successful title reign. A potential super fight against Amanda Nunes is reportedly planned for early 2026, contingent on Nunes re-entering the UFC`s drug testing program.
PFL Congratulates Kayla Harrison After UFC 316 Title Victory
As Harrison celebrates her historic achievement, her former promoter, the PFL, offered congratulations on her performance. Despite a contentious departure from the PFL in 2024, the relationship between Harrison and co-founder Donn Davis appeared more amicable during UFC 316 fight week. In a statement, Davis mentioned his long-standing effort to gain pound-for-pound recognition for Harrison. Her title win at UFC 316 is expected to significantly boost her standing in the UFC`s pound-for-pound rankings.
Looking ahead, Harrison is poised to become a prominent figure in women`s MMA and aims to further ascend in the UFC record books.
Percy Harlow