‘Uncrowned queen’ Harrison sets sights on UFC title

Two-time Olympic judo gold medallist Kayla Harrison believes she is the “uncrowned queen” in the UFC as she prepares for her second fight in the promotion.

Harrison meets Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City this weekend, with the winner in line for a shot at the bantamweight title next time out.

Bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington and challenger Julianna Pena are also on the card.

“I’m the uncrowned queen,” Harrison said.

“First, Saturday night I smash Ketlen and then I come for my title, so enjoy it while you can ladies.”

Thursday’s news conference was expected to centre around light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and challenger Khalil Rountree, but the headline pair were sidelined as the four bantamweight rivals exchanged jibes.

Pennington is making her first defence after winning the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 297 in January, while Pena is a former champion and has not competed since losing the belt against Amanda Nunes in July 2022.

Harrison, 34, won judo gold at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 and has since built up a fearsome reputation in mixed martial arts, making her professional debut in 2018 and winning her UFC debut against Holly Holm at the landmark 300 event in April.

“I really want to be UFC champion. I have more finishes than Julianna has wins,” Harrison added.

“I’m still the new kid on the block and I have stuff to prove.”

Harrison was a two-time Professional Fighters League lightweight champion and has lost just one of her 18 contests, with 13 of those victories coming inside the distance.

Pena has 11 wins from her 16 bouts, including a submission victory over retired UFC star Nunes.

“I know violence and Kayla just got here to the scene,” Pena said.

“Just got here?” replied Harrison.

“I’ve won two Olympic gold medals and I’ve been doing this since I was six years old. You started your career in 2009 and are 10-5, I started in 2018 and I’m 17-1.”

‘Numbers don’t lie’

This weekend’s main event sees Brazil’s Pereira return to the octagon for the third time in 2024.

Pereira has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the UFC, winning titles at middleweight and light-heavyweight since joining the promotion in November 2021.

The 37-year-old is looking to create history in Salt Lake City as he attempts to defend his belt for a third time.

Ronda Rousey holds the current UFC record for the shortest period between three consecutive title defences, achieving that feat in 189 days, while Pereira – if successful – will have done it just 175 days.

“I’m one of the best, the numbers don’t lie,” Pereira said.

“Fans want to see fights and I deliver fights.”

Rountree has not competed since December 2023 and was removed from the UFC 303 card after being handed an internal two month suspension for testing positive for anabolic steroid DHEA in a urine sample.

The drug test was administered by the UFC’s anti-doping programme, Combat Sports Anti-Doping, and Rountree then informed the National Athletic Commission (NAC) about the results.

Due to his co-operation, Rountree, who denied intentionally doping, was given a retrospective ban that expired on 18 September and was fined £119.14 ($157.04).

“Look at the guy’s record, look at what he’s done. It would be extra sweet [to win], it would be major,” Rountree said.

“The main reason I’ve always wanted this fight is for the fans – you’ve got two of the best strikers in the world going at it.

“When I step in there you get the best version of me.”

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