Kayla Harrison addresses Ronda Rousey comparisons ahead of UFC 300 debut

Kayla Harrison wants to forge her own path in the UFC despite comparisons to Ronda Rousey.

Accomplished MMA fighter Harrison will make her UFC 300 debut this weekend as she takes on Holly Holm in a huge showdown in Las Vegas after leaving the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

Harrison has high expectations after having just one loss under her belt, which has naturally led to her being compared to UFC legend ‘Rowdy’.

The judoka has now responded to the claims, insisting she wouldn’t be in MMA without Rousey’s influence.

“Listen, Ronda is a pioneer in this sport,” Harrison admitted at UFC 300 media day. “She’s the only reason I’m sitting here today.

“I’m not going to take any shots at him or be insulted by him. I think the hardest thing is that I’m my own person.

“I’m my own person. We’re just different, but I have a lot of respect for her and I’m grateful for everything she’s been able to accomplish in this sport and to help grow it for women and break the barriers. ceilings.

“Now my job is to stand above his shoulders and keep doing it. I don’t compare myself to anyone or anything. I’m my own person.

“I have my own path. I just try to keep walking it every day, one foot in front of the other. Of course, everyone wants to be a star. The goal is not to be a star .

“The goal is to be UFC champion and be so good that you can’t ignore me, and then use that platform to change the world the way I want.”

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The comparisons surfaced after Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz insisted she was a new version of Rousey.

Rousey has had a phenomenal career in the promotion, having reigned as the UFC’s first female bantamweight champion at the height of her dominance.

She also comes from a background in judo, having won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Harrison has shared even more success at the Olympic level, winning gold at the London 2012 Games and Rio 2016.

She reigned as the PFL lightweight champion and was even once inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

The 33-year-old will be keen not to get too carried away, but hopes to emulate Rousey’s early success.

Raquel Pennington currently holds the crown, and a win over Holm could immediately propel her into the top five in the rankings, with a title shot likely on offer very soon.