The first images of Kayla Harrison’s new physique have been revealed as she prepares to make her UFC debut at UFC 300 this Saturday night.
The former Olympic judo gold medal winner and ex-PFL champion has always been known for her ripped physique and is having to cut down 20lbs from her usual lightweight division to 135lbs at bantamweight.
Harrison still looks in brilliant condition and shared a picture of herself flexing to her 189,000 followers on Instagram.
She has also taken part in an official UFC photoshoot, which is customary for all fighters prior to major events.
Harrison performed a variety of poses and looked healthy at the weight, which is not always the case for athletes having to deplete themselves before they hit the scales on Friday.
Kayla Harrison flexed her newly trim physique ahead of UFC 300 this Saturday
The former Olympic champion will make her UFC debut against Holly Holm
Harrison competed at bantamweight in the PFL and has cut down to lightweight now
When asked about the weight cut, Harrison said she has been ‘disciplined and decimated’.
There’s a clear difference in the way she looks in comparison to her bulkier days at bantamweight and it will be interesting to see if the weight difference impacts performance on Saturday.
‘My weight is good,’ she said. ‘Everything is dialed in. I have a superb team behind me.
‘Eric Pena, the UFC PI has been helping out, my chef and nutritionist Dara has been making ridiculously delicious meals. I’ve been disciplined and dedicated, and it’s going to show.’
She added: ‘The hay is in the barn, the work is done. I get to do this. This is a thing that I chose to do.
Harrison will weigh in on Friday and says she is well on track to hit the target
‘I’m not sitting behind a desk. I’m not a nurse, a doctor, I’m not a lawyer. This is my job.
‘I’m a fighter and this is what I chose to do, and I’m very blessed to do it, even the s***y parts. It’s all part of the journey, and it’s all shaping me and molding me into the best version of myself. So this is all fun for me.’