Holly Holm didn't see any grand conspiracy at work when she got the call that she would deal with two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison in her next battle at UFC 300.
Obviously it's difficult to forget that Holm ended up being a UFC champ after she destroyed Olympic judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey back in 2015. Rousey counted Harrison as a colleague and even a roomie at one point when both were pursuing their Olympic dreams.
Now Harrison looks for to follow in Rousey's steps in the UFC with hopes she can win a title in the future however to get anywhere near that objective, she initially needs to make it through Holm. In spite of originating from nearly similar backgrounds, Holm does not see Harrison through the very same lens as she did Rousey when they satisfied simply over 8 years back.
“As far as their backgrounds being judo champs, they have various positions, various sizes, various designs,” Holm informed MMA Fighting. “There are some resemblances however they are 2 really various fighters.
“Even when they get to the ground, Kayla Harrison's had her ground and pound and Ronda would constantly sort of grab the arms. It's simply various. Their designs are various however likewise a great deal of resemblances.”
If there's one location that Harrison mirrors with Rousey– a minimum of on the surface area– it's that both of them usually chose a ground fight versus a standup battle. That altered for Rousey after she scored a number of ravaging knockouts on the feet however Harrison has actually never ever avoided her desire to drag a challenger to the canvas and maul them with fists.
On the feet, Harrison has actually revealed significant enhancements throughout the years however she still generally depends on her grappling video game to make wins. When Rousey had a hard time to get Holm to the ground, the International Boxing Hall of Famer made her pay, specifically with the head kick that ended her unbeaten run in the UFC.
Holm will not anticipate the very same will occur to Harrison since she needs to anticipate that the American Top Team trained fighter will be all set for whatever even if she's not as competent in some locations.
“She's going to can be found in with her finest striking,” Holm stated. “I originated from striking and I have actually progressed into a blended martial artist. She originated from judo, that kind of background, and progressed to end up being a combined martial artist. I certainly believe she's enhanced in her standup. It's not something she began with much like I didn't begin with fumbling or grappling or anything like that.
“I believe she's had a great quantity of time in her combined martial arts profession, to being more well-rounded as I have, so I believe that's what makes this battle intriguing.”
Beyond the real battle, if there's one element to this match that's been inspected advertisement nauseum it's Harrison contending as a bantamweight for the very first time.
