Kayla Harrison has revealed her victory at UFC 307 was at serious risk of not happening having made a trip to the hospital pre-fight.
The 34-year-old beat Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision in what was just her second UFC bout last weekend.
Harrison got the job done at UFC 307 after a trip to hospital just days beforeGetty
Harrison is a two-time Olympic champion and former training partner of UFC veteran Ronda Rousey. She won gold as part of the United States’ judo team in London and Rio de Janiero, and also claimed the first prize at the 2010 World Championships in Tokyo.
In 2018 she made her debut for the PFL and went on to win the women’s lightweight championship in Dana White’s rival MMA promotion.
Harrison debuted for White’s company at UFC 300, submitting veteran Holly Holm via rear naked choke in the second round.
Her win at UFC 307 propelled her to the No.2 ranked women’s bantamweight, behind Raquel Pennington and current champion Julianna Pena.
Pena was victorious over Pennington to reclaim the bantamweight title for the second time as part of the co-main in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday.
Harrison had a close eye on the fight between both women, as she is expected to be next in line to fight for the belt.
However, after her controversial decision win, Pena ignored commenting on Harrison’s clash, instead calling out former opponent and champion Amanda Nunes, who retired from the sport over a year ago.
Florida’s Harrison had some words on the matter, while revealing the struggles she went through in the build-up to her last fight.
“I had to go to the hospital last week,” Harrison told MMA Fighting.
“There was blood in my urine. I had a really bad infection that started spreading. I was on antibiotics…It was a bunch of stuff going on but it’s not an excuse. I have to be the best in the world on my worst day.”
Harrison was victorious over Holly Holm at UFC 300Getty
Although she was definitely not at her best, Harrison largely controlled most of the fight and her victory was far from controversial.
She also commented on the two women who reside above her in the bantamweight rankings.
“I missed the first round but I also had it going Raquel’s [Pennington] way and then I looked…every single journalist had it for Raquel and I’ve never seen that where all you guys agree,” Harrison added.
“I was surprised. It’s kind of [an] unspoken rule in our sport, you don’t steal the title. You’ve got to take the title. I feel bad for [Pennington], she’s quiet, a humble champion, but she’s the champ.
“To have it taken like that has got to be tough.”
Harrison also said she wasn’t impressed by Pena’s performance in the octagon, adding she hasn’t seen any growth since her fight with Nunes.
UFC 307 also witnessed Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth consecutive time, this time against American Khalil Rountree Jr.
Meanwhile, MMA veteran Jose Aldo lost out to Mario Bautista and Joaquin Buckley was awarded a bonus for the performance of the night following his knockout victory over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.
