When Kayla Harrison was able to use her elbows for the first time in her MMA career, she left her opponent in a pool of her own blood after brutalizing her.
At UFC 316 on June 7, Kayla Harrison will finally fight for UFC gold when she takes on Julianna Pena for the women’s bantamweight title.
The Olympic gold medalist made her promotional debut last April at the UFC’s historic UFC 300 event, submitting former champion Holly Holm in the second round.
Harrison was then matched up against former title challenger Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, and the dominant Judoka had to overcome adversity as she was cut open on her way to a unanimous decision win.
Throughout the majority of her MMA career, Harrison hasn’t been able to use her elbows as they are illegal under the PFL ruleset, however, during a brief hiatus from the PFL, Harrison took a fight in Invicta where she showcased her brutal weapons.
Harrison left opponent in a pool of blood after brutal elbows
After winning her first PFL championship in 2019, Harrison took a brief hiatus from the promotion in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic began to wreak havoc on the world.
During her time away from the PFL, the dominant grappler opted to take a fight in Invicta, where she was matched up against Courtney King.
Not only did this mark Harrison’s first MMA fight outside of the PFL but it marked the first fight in her MMA career that she was able to use elbows as part of her attacking arsenal.
Immediately within the first half of the opening round, Harrison got King down to the ground where she looked to dominate her with her top control and ground-and-pound.
It didn’t take long for the PFL champion to begin raining down heavy elbows from the top, immediately cutting King open with her slicing attacks.
At the end of the opening round, the part of the cage that Harrison dominated King in was completely covered in blood as King reluctantly stood back to her feet.
Again in round two, Harrison brutalized King with elbow attacks before subsequently finishing the fight with elbows from the crucifix position.
Julianna Pena continues to accuse Harrison of steroid use
Ahead of their clash at UFC 316, Harrison and ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ have been involved in a huge feud, which spans back years.
Pena has consistently accused Harrison of using steroids, and despite her baseless accusation having never been proved correct, she has continued with the jab ahead of June 7.
And with their feud now palpable, the two are expected to put on a great show in the co-main event in Newark, New Jersey.
