The burden of a UFC championship is enormous. But heavy is also the head that aspires to snag and fit the crown. Raquel Pennington is prepping not just for Julianna Pena but also for Kayla Harrison at UFC 307. With Pena’s history of injuries, she’ll be ready for the decorated Olympian at UFC 307. Harrison is keeping similar intentions if there is an injury pullout. However, she’s willing to go the extra mile for it!
Kayla Harrison meets Ketlen Vieira on the UFC 307 card as well. Harrison won her spectacular debut over competition veteran Holly Holm at UFC 300. Much like Michael Chandler (ex-Bellator), fans are veering for the two-time PFL women’s lightweight champ to have a title shot next. When Harrison enters Friday’s weigh-ins, she’ll be ready to be backup for such a sophomore shot, even if it means drastic measures.
Yeah…it’s uh…You know — that last pound [at 135] is God not Kayla [chuckles]…That’s not…that’s not anything a human can do. That’s definitely, uh, …Higher power that’s getting me to that point. [On cutting her hair] Listen, their isn’t much I wouldn’t do…to be UFC champion. But yea – I’ll be bald as a newborn baby [laughs].
Kayla Harrison in Fight Week Media Availability round via MMA Junkie Radio #3501 with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze”
The UFC fan clique already saw the drastic effects of Internet babe and women’s flyweight Tracy Cortez cutting her hair for her weigh-ins. But the Olympic Judo gold medalist is a different breed; Harrison is UFC Babe with biceps and buff, and there’s very little she won’t do to earn that title shot. Much like Raquel Pennington, she is prepping for double opponents for Saturday.
Showed up in style ✨@KaylaH is ready for #UFC307 fight week!
[ LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV | Saturday | 10pmET/7pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/o1fxGBzqdT
— UFC (@ufc) October 2, 2024
Kayla Harrison is approaching #UFC307 weigh-ins ready for anything. If that means shaving her head to ensure an impromptu title shot, then so be it. 😳
(via @MMAJunkieGeorge and @thegoze) pic.twitter.com/GG6BpbUdxo
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 2, 2024
Harrison expects to emerge as a proper No. 1 contender for the gold this weekend. She has also raised her hand for the sweet backup spot. While the beauty with brawl power recently glammed up and posted viral snippets, Harrison will let it all go and batter the competition to a pulp. That could very much entail a haircut as well. Meanwhile, Pennington has her thoughts.
Raquel Pennington has also been training for Kayla Harrison ahead of UFC 307
For Raquel Pennington, being the champion meant prepping for two opponents. Pennington (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC) puts her women’s bantamweight title to the test against Julianna Peña soon. But there are prime deterrents to the UFC 307 pay-per-view co-headliner.
‘Venezuelan Vixen’ has been on the bench for over two years. She has also had four different bouts canceled for various reasons since 2020. Going into UFC 307, Pennington said she considered that track record. Additionally, with Kayla Harrison possibly pitching in as backup, ‘Rocky’ had double the assignment.
Honestly, I prepared for this as both Julianna and Kayla, …Julianna does have a history of getting injured. I know that Kayla made the comment about wanting to be the backup fighter. This wasn’t just one fight camp that was like, ‘OK, here’s one person that we’re focusing on – I’ve broke down two athletes and prepared in two different directions.
Raquel ‘Rocky’ Pennington for UFC 307 Pre-fight interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn
Pennington wanted to face Pena since their TUF: Season 17 days in 2013. Nevertheless, a win over Harrison would do wonders. A dominant grappler like Harrison only lost in the lightweight division to Larissa Pacheco. Pennington or Pena does not have the weight advantage; Harrison does. As such, Pennington defeating Harrison adds immensely to her legacy. Hence, she is ready for anyone.
