Where was killer Kayla? Harrison is a victim of her own hype at UFC 307

Kayla Harrison arrived in the UFC with a big bang, dominating former champion Holly Holm for a second-round submission victory at UFC 300. Her follow-up fight at UFC 307 did not live up to that standard.

Although Harrison won her fight against Ketlen Viera by scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, this was not the performance we expected from a fighter who came to Salt Lake City saying she was ready to fight three women to fight in one night. . Harrison got some bumps, she got some lumps, she got split open. She still got the win, but she looked absolutely human.

In turn, Viera proved that at 135 years old, the women in the UFC aren’t just bowling pins for Kayla to knock down on her way to a title crown. And it’s something we’ve seen glimpses of in the past. Harrison is fighting back in her PFL days. Harrison has all the skills she needs to cut a swath of destruction across the women’s division. But sometimes the violence and killer instinct fail to materialize, and she ends up having to fight it out in 15 to 25 minutes.

We are clearly assessing a curve here. Few other women would have this level of expectation upon them, but few other women have come to the UFC with this level of hype. People expected Ronda Rousey to knock out her opponents in the first round. And as the second coming of Rousey, Harrison inherits a nearly impossible standard to uphold, especially as she joins the circle of top contenders in MMA.

LIVE! Watch UFC 307 PPV on ESPN+ here!

Championship double! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, October 5, 2024, with a pair of exciting championship fights at the helm. In the pay-per-view (PPV) main event of UFC 307, light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereiragoes for his third successful title defense of 2024 when he clashes with number 8 in the rankings, Khalil Rountree Jr.in a battle between ferocious knockout artists. Meanwhile, in the co-headliner of the UFC 307 championship, the women’s bantamweight ruler, Rachel Penningtondefends against former defending champion and No. 1-seeded contender, Julianna Penain a grudge match dating back to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 more than ten years ago. UFC 307 will also feature the return of the former pound-for-pound great, Jose Aldoalso Kayla Harrison, Kevin Holland and much more! It’s must-see action from “SLC!” UFC307The start time has been scheduled 6:30 PM ET (Prelims card) and 10pm ET (PPV main card).

Don’t miss a single second of epic face-punching action!

Kayla Harrison won tonight at UFC 307, but the image she brought with her to the UFC isn’t as bright as it was before the event. Her shares are now back to earth. Yes, she is an Olympic double gold medalist and 18-1 fighter. But she’s not an unstoppable wrecking ball like a certain other Olympian turned UFC fighter.

Smart veterans in the 135-pound division were able to exploit her rough edges. And if Amanda Nunes answers her call and comes out of retirement to meet her, we’d be hard-pressed to pick Kayla to win.

Click for full UFC 307 results, coverage and highlights HERE.