While Kayla Harrison‘s hopes of fighting Cris Cyborg may have faded, the shadow of the former UFC and Strikeforce featherweight champion still looms large over her.

Despite years of speculation about a potential matchup between Harrison and the Brazilian legend, her signing with the UFC and move to bantamweight seemed to close the door on that possibility. However, as Harrison gears up for her octagon debut at UFC 300, Cyborg’s presence is felt once again, as she traveled to New Mexico to aid Holly Holm in her preparation to face Harrison on April 13.

When asked about Cyborg’s involvement in Holm’s training during a UFC 300 fan Q&A, Harrison couldn’t escape the reminder of her rival.

“She just loves to stir the f****** pot, doesn’t she?” “Go home already, nobody cares.”

While Harrison may not have many compliments for Cyborg, the same cannot be said about her sentiments towards Holm. Despite the surprise surrounding her move to the UFC, Harrison welcomed the opportunity to face a seasoned competitor like Holly Holm, a former UFC bantamweight champion and esteemed member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“I don’t use the word legend lightly, but I think Holly is very much a legend in the sport.  She’s been in the top 10 for years now, been a former champ. I didn’t come over here to just see how I can do and fight amongst everyone.

“I’m here to come over and win a UFC title and finish my career on top. So Holly’s a good start to that.”

Transitioning to the UFC brought unexpected challenges for Harrison, particularly the move down to 135 pounds, which is arguably her toughest test yet. However, she is confident in her readiness to tackle this challenge head-on.

Driven by her aspiration to add a UFC title to her illustrious résumé, Harrison recognized that dropping down to the bantamweight division was the necessary step.

“I mean, when I first started MMA, the goal was always to become UFC champion. It’s been a lot of highs and lows, some bumps along the way, but ultimately this was the goal when I came to MMA. I knew that whatever contract I signed was probably going to be the last contract I sign. If not now, then when? I’m ready, I’m willing, I’m able.

“I don’t want to look back and be 70 years old and say, ‘F***, I wish I had given it a shot.’ It’s time to go, baby.”

While she anticipates no easy victories in her bantamweight debut, Harrison believes the potential rewards outweigh the risks.

“Really, bantamweight became a reality and is going to become a reality on April 12. It’s not something that I had considered before, but I knew whatever contract I signed was going to be the last contract. This opportunity arose. I don’t want to look back on my life and say, ‘What if, what if, what if.’

“Yes, it’s a sacrifice. Yes, it sucks. I miss pizza, I miss cookies, I miss brownies. But I do believe that UFC gold will be worth it.”

Although Harrison did not confirm whether a title shot awaits her with a win over Holm at UFC 300, her undeniable talent and the attention she has garnered since joining the UFC make her a compelling candidate for such an opportunity.

Rather than leaving her fate to chance, Harrison intends to leave no doubt about her worthiness for a title shot after overcoming Holm at UFC 300. Additionally, her arrival in the bantamweight division signals a clear message to the rest of the division: she is here to make her mark.

“My focus is on April 13, UFC 300, Las Vegas, live, Holly Holm and me are going to throw down in the cage. I plan on putting on such beating that they have no choice but to give me the title shot after that. It’s in my hands.”

“My thoughts [on the bantamweight division] are there’s a new sheriff in town, and on April 13, everybody is going to find out.”

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