Kayla Harrison Reveals Wild Diet Behind Gruesome Weight Cut to Make 135lbs

Newly crowned UFC women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison talks about her rigorous training camp before UFC 316.

Kayla Harrison Reveals Wild Diet Behind Gruesome Weight Cut to Make 135lbs

Kayla Harrison talks about the sacrifices that helped her win the UFC title (via X)

UFC 316 had some of the most entertaining fights, and the co-main event was a real highlight for fans. The women’s bantamweight title bout saw top contender Kayla Harrison face off against the always-tough and experienced Julianna Pena. Harrison dominated from start to finish, using her strength and preparation to secure an impressive and clear-cut victory.

Going into the fight, Harrison was a massive fan favorite and proved why fans placed their faith in her. In round two, the Olympic gold medalist locked in a kimura submission that made the veteran tap out immediately. Afterward, she told FULL SEND MMA about her brutal training camp that prepared her for this dominant win.

Every day for the last 12 weeks I haven’t missed a single day of running, walking, swimming and biking 6 miles and on Sunday I do eight miles. For the last 15 weeks I have been on a diet. I only eat food that’s in my fridge that was given to me by my chef and when I really feel I’m going to pass out…I had a scoop of peanut butter.

Kayla Harrison via Full Send MMA

Harrison expressed that all those hardships helped her reach the top, and she felt extremely proud of that achievement. She went through a brutal weight cut that pushed her discipline and mental toughness to the absolute breaking point. At the weigh-ins, Harrison appeared extremely drained, which alarmed many fans and sparked serious concerns about her overall health.

She admitted the process was one of the hardest challenges she had ever faced in her entire professional fighting career. Despite the struggles, the gold medalist made weight successfully and delivered a dominant performance that proved her dedication. Going forward, Harrison has some big challenges and the future looks bright.

Kayla Harrison gets praise from top UFC heavyweight

Following her win over Julianna Pena, Kayla Harrison is now expected to face Amanda Nunes in a future super fight. Her dominant showing immediately sparked talks about a legacy-defining matchup between two of the greatest women’s fighters in women’s combat sports. Both athletes have elite skillsets and championship resumes, making this a dream fight for hardcore fans around the world.

Kayla Harrison goes face-to-face against Amanda Nunes after UFC 316
Kayla Harrison goes face-to-face against Amanda Nunes after UFC 316 (via X)

Nunes, who retired a few years back, was present at UFC 316 and even did a faceoff against the new bantamweight champion. ‘The Lioness’ is a former UFC double champion and is regarded as the GOAT of women’s MMA. Following the bout, UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall talked about Harrison’s fight and shared his opinion on YouTube.

When we were at UFC 300, she [Harrison] was unbelievable. She looked fantastic against Holly Holm but not only that, what we could see and the people on the TV won’t know this obviously. We were in a VIP box that was miles up in the air, honestly you could see the definition on her shoulders and biceps from the VIP box…honestly she is absolutely jacked…I think that strong base that she’s got…if she gets close to you, if she gets anywhere near you you’re going on your back simple as that…it’s like, she’s on top she’s like immovable object.

Aspinall mentioned that Harrison could beat Nunes if she keeps the same momentum and continues improving her overall fight game. Nunes confirmed Harrison was the reason she left American Top Team, knowing this high-stakes showdown would eventually happen someday.

Both have acknowledged each other’s greatness, fueling anticipation for what could be the biggest women’s fight in UFC history. If booked, Harrison vs. Nunes will not only test skill but also determine who truly holds the greatest legacy ever.

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