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When Kayla Harrison first declared plans to transition from judo to pursue a profession in MMA, she couldn’t keep away from fixed comparisons to Ronda Rousey.
By the point the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka introduced she’d battle in 2016, Rousey was already largely gone from the game. However Rousey’s affect was plain; she was a worldwide famous person and one of the recognizable athletes in sports activities, defending her UFC title six instances.
Earlier than Rousey’s UFC reign, nevertheless, she was an Olympic bronze medalist in judo. That’s why Harrison always heard Rousey’s title when she determined to attempt MMA. Now that she’s about to debut within the UFC, she’s heard all those self same comparisons. However she doesn’t actually take offense.
“Look, Ronda is a pioneer on this sport,” Harrison mentioned throughout UFC 300 media day. “She’s the entire purpose I’m sitting right here at the moment. I’m not going to take knocks at her, or be insulted by it.
“I believe the toughest half is that, I’m my very own individual. I’m my very own individual. We’re simply completely different, however I’ve a whole lot of respect for her, and I’m grateful for every little thing she was capable of accomplish on this sport, and to assist develop it for girls and shatter ceilings.
“Now, my job is to face on prime of her shoulders and proceed to try this.”
At her peak, Rousey not solely decimated her competitors – she didn’t thoughts creating viral moments exterior the cage. Whether or not by interviews or post-fight speeches, she transcended into popular culture with the right mixture of brutality and dominance within the cage. It didn’t damage she had that very same vitality in entrance of a microphone.
Harrison appreciates that she has an analogous capability, although she is aware of her fashion nonetheless in the end differs from Rousey, irrespective of what number of instances their names find yourself in the identical sentence.
“I’m not evaluating myself to anybody or something,” Harrison mentioned. “I’m my very own individual. I’ve my very own path. I simply attempt to hold strolling it on a regular basis, one foot in entrance of the opposite. After all everybody desires to be a star. The purpose is to not be a star. The purpose is to be UFC champion and be so f****** good, you may’t ignore me, after which to make use of this platform to vary the world how I need to.
“There’s steps to it, and actually being a star isn’t a bit of it. It’s one thing that I suppose everybody desires to speak about, however I simply need to be so good that you simply guys haven’t any selection however to name me the queen.”
Humorous sufficient, Harrison’s UFC profession begins towards the identical opponent that ended Rousey’s undefeated run. Holly Holm famously dethroned Rousey in 2015 with one of the vicious head-kick knockouts within the historical past of the game.
Almost 9 years later, Holm nonetheless finds herself ranked among the many greatest bantamweight fighters on this planet, and Harrison was honored to get that title as her welcome to the UFC.
“I don’t say legend evenly,” Harrison mentioned about Holm. “I believe it takes a particular form of individual to be a UFC champion, to be within the prime 10 for therefore lengthy, to remain related and to evolve as a lot as she’s advanced. She has a super-high battle IQ. She’s acquired glorious footwork.
“We all know that she has a putting background, however she’s advanced into a really well-rounded blended martial artist. I believe she’s in all probability the hardest take a look at within the division for me.”
If all goes effectively on Saturday, Harrison might set the tone for a really massive yr in her profession. She made it clear that shifting to the UFC from PFL is all about legacy. Step one is getting by Holm after which sending an emphatic message to the bantamweight division.
“I watch the division,” Harrison mentioned. “I’ve been taking discover. I’ve been protecting my eye on the heart beat. They want a brand new queen.
“Court docket is now in session. The queen has arrived. Saturday evening’s going to be my popping out get together. Everybody’s going to be placed on discover.”
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