‘She’s on death’s door’ – Fans raise concerns for Kayla Harrison’s health as she steps on the scales after gruelling weight cut for UFC 300 clash with Holly Holm

Kayla Harrison looked extremely exhausted on the scales ahead of her UFC debut.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka faces Holly Holm this weekend on the stacked UFC 300 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Much of the intrigue surrounding the fight centered on whether Harrison, who spent most of his career at lightweight, could move up in weight for his first appearance at bantamweight.

Those questions were answered Friday afternoon when Harrison, in true professional fashion, weighed in at the bantamweight limit of 136 pounds.

However, his skinny appearance was a source of concern among UFC fans.

One fan wrote: “Looks like she’s on death’s door. Jesus.”

Another tweeted: “This doesn’t look good. »

A third added: “OMG I look a bit rough.” »

Despite the grueling weight loss, Harrison seemed in good spirits yesterday as she spoke to the press.

“My weight is good,” she assured the assembled media. ” Everything is in order. I have a superb team behind me.

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“UFC PI Eric Peña helped me, my chef and nutritionist Dara prepared ridiculously delicious meals. I was disciplined and dedicated, and it will show…

“I’m already having fun. The hay is in the barn, the work is done. I can do this.

“It’s something I choose to do. I don’t sit behind a desk. I’m not a nurse, I’m not a doctor, I’m not a lawyer.

“It’s my job. I’m a fighter and it’s what I chose to do, and I’m very lucky to do it – even the shitty parts.”

Harrison has long been considered one of the hottest commodities in women’s MMA.

But until this year, she plied her trade far from the UFC.

Her entire 17-fight MMA career (16-1) was with promotional rival PFL, where she won the organization’s lightweight tournaments in 2019 and 2021.

However, in January she finally put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the UFC after entering free agency late last year.