Daniel Cormier was impressed with the impression Kayla Harrison had upon becoming a member of the UFC roster.
Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who signed with the UFC earlier this 12 months, went 2-0 in 2024 with wins over former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 and prime contender Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307.
Harrison didn’t simply debut within the octagon, however she debuted in a brand new weight class, making 135 kilos twice – regardless of admittedly struggling to chop down. That’s why Cormier picked the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka as his Feminine Fighter of the 12 months.
“I say Kayla Harrison as a result of she’s overwhelmed Holly Holm after which she beat Ketlen Vieira, who was the most effective ladies we’ve seen on this division in a extremely very long time, maybe on the brief record of people that might combat for the belt subsequent,” Cormier stated on “Good Man/Unhealthy Man” with Chael Sonnen. “I believed that coming into a corporation with expectations, with a number of reward, with a number of strain, after which delivering as she did is essential.
“It’s so good that Kayla Harrison was ready to try this, however not solely try this, however earn a championship alternative. It’s an amazing combat. She’s an amazing fighter. She has overcome – however what else can we count on? She’s an Olympic champion two occasions. There isn’t a degree of strain that can get to Kayla Harrison. She’s proven it that she will compete if she can not get takedowns and be bodily dominant. She’s proven that she has a championship mindset.”
Cormier’s co-host, Chael Sonnen, additionally picked Harrison as his feminine Fighter of the 12 months. Cormier talked about UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili however acknowledged that combating as soon as this 12 months isn’t sufficient.
Surprisingly, neither Cormier nor Sonnen talked about Dakota Ditcheva, who went 4-0 en path to profitable the $1 million PFL flyweight event. Ditcheva gained MMA Junkie’s 2024 Feminine Fighter of the 12 months.
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