Kayla Harrison: 'Only a Matter of Time' Before I Become UFC Champion

Kayla Harrison might very well be the person nobody in the UFC women’s bantamweight division wants to face.

After a dominant stoppage win against Holly Holm in her promotional — and 135-pound — debut at UFC 300, the two-time Olympic gold medalist will return to action to face Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday. On that same card, reigning bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington will defend her belt against Julianna Pena in the co-main event. Both Pennington and Pena have not been shy about voicing their displeasure when it comes to Harrison’s quick ascent through the division.

"I think everyone knows that it is only a matter of time [before I become champion]," Harrison recently told ESPN. "When the truth don't hurt, they start telling lies.”

Pena, who hasn’t fought since a July 2022 title loss to Amanda Nunes, has questioned whether Harrison is a clean athlete.. The former PFL champion has consistently brushed off those accusations, instead preferring to take Pena’s claims as a compliment.

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+. Order Now!

"I think people forget that the first time I was tested by the USADA I was 12 years old," Harrison said. "They came to my middle school. ... I was on the National [judo] roster and have been tested since then.”

Harrison pointed out to ESPN that she is currently the second-most tested fighter in the UFC’s anti-doping database. Her 10 tests are second only to former two-division champion Conor McGregor.

"I have never taken steroids and I never will," she said. "I don't believe in it, especially in our sport it is borderline dangerous when you are inflicting damage on each other. I would never taint my legacy in that way."