UFC legends discuss why Kayla Harrison wins Mid-Year Best Female Fighter Award: "You would have a hard time"

Kayla Harrison signed with the UFC in January 2024, making her promotional debut at UFC 300 in April. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo thrived in her first bout, defeating former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm via second-round submission.

She drew high praise from Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, who labeled her as their pick to win the Mid-Year Best Female Fighter Award. Speaking on their ESPN show Good Guy / Bad Guy, 'The American Gangster' was asked for his pick for the award, responding:

"Kayla Harrison for multiple reasons, but her signing with the organization. Kayla Harrison going down to 135 pounds... She won the Olympic games at 172 pounds. This is remarkable discipline, remarkable drive. You talk about somebody that sets a goal and doesn't let anything get in the way. I was quite frankly stunned. This changed all the hype... She changed her lifestyle just for the opportunity to stand against possibly the most decorated female of all-time."

Cormier noted that Zhang Weili and Raquel Pennington also have a case for the award before adding:

"It has to be Kayla Harrison. I mean, coming in, like you said Chael, all the reasons you gave, UFC 300 and fighting Holly Holm. That, to me, is probably what spoke the most to me in terms of what she is going to mean to this division because so many believed that it would be a matter of time if she got down to this weight class that she would be competing for or becoming the UFC champion."

Check out Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen's comments below (15:15):

Cormier added that after Harrison's UFC 300 performance, you would have a hard time finding someone who believes Raquel Pennington would be able to beat her. He noted that in just one fight, she has made most fans believe it is just a matter of time until she captures the title.

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Kayla Harrison shares prediction for Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena

Raquel Pennington is set to defend her UFC women's bantamweight title for the first time when she faces Julianna Pena in the co-main event of UFC 307. Kayla Harrison, who may very well be in line to face the winner of the bout, shared her prediction in an interview with MMA Junkie, stating:

"That’s a tough call. I tend to go with grapplers, so I think Pena pulls it out, but it’s anybody’s fight. I’d fight both of them on the same night."

Check out Kayla Harrison's comments on Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena below (4:18):

While Harrison is the No.3-ranked women's bantamweight and has just one win in the UFC, she may not need another to fight for the title. Aside from Pennington and Pena, Ketlen Vieira, who has not competed in nearly a year, is the only fighter ranked above her in the division.