Kayla Harrison Reveals Health Scare Before UFC 307 Win
Kayla Harrison, the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and rising UFC star, recently revealed a harrowing health issue she faced just days before her fight at UFC 307. The 34-year-old athlete, who secured a unanimous decision victory over Ketlen Vieira, disclosed that she had been hospitalized for urinating blood in the week leading up to the event.
Pre-Fight Medical Emergency
Harrison, in an interview with TMZ Sports, shared the alarming details of her pre-fight ordeal:
“I had to go to the hospital the week before. I was like peeing blood and there was some stuff going on. I don’t like to make excuses, but I definitely wasn’t my best inside the cage Saturday night.”
Despite this setback, Harrison managed to dominate her opponent, securing her second win since joining the UFC. However, she admitted that the health scare affected her performance, stating that she knows she can be better and grow from this experience.
Weight Cut Concerns
The incident has raised questions about Harrison’s weight cut to the bantamweight division. Having spent most of her career competing at lightweight (155 lbs), Harrison now fights at 135 lbs in the UFC. She expressed concerns about the toll this takes on her body:
“I’m just not built to weigh 135 pounds. Anytime I get under the 150s, it’s not pleasant.”
Harrison emphasized the need for some time off to recover from the weight-cutting process, describing it as taxing on her body.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, Harrison remains optimistic about her future in the UFC. Her recent victory has positioned her as a top contender for Julianna Peña’s bantamweight title. However, she acknowledges the need to balance her competitive drive with her health:
“I need to take a little bit of time off just because of the weight cut and the process that it is for my body.”
Conclusion
Kayla Harrison’s revelation sheds light on the intense physical demands of professional MMA fighting, particularly the challenges of weight cutting. As she continues her journey in the UFC, balancing her championship aspirations with her health and well-being will be crucial. Fans and observers alike will be watching closely to see how Harrison navigates these challenges in her pursuit of UFC gold.
Citations:
[1] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10138494-kayla-harrison-says-she-was-hospitalized-peed-blood-week-before-ufc-307-fight
[2] https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/i_was_peeing_blood_ufc_307_star_kayla_harrison_was_hospitalized_week_before_ppv_night/s1_17325_41019276
[3] https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/10/ufc-307-kayla-harrison-hospital-visit-peeing-blood-pre-fight
[4] https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cvgwjpj95x1o
[5] https://sports.yahoo.com/harrison-urinating-blood-week-ufc-100713928.html
[6] https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/10/08/kayla-harrison-was-hospitalized-for-peeing-blood-a-week-before-ufc-307-as-weight-cut-concerns-continue-im-not-built-to-weigh-135lbs/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g7q1bEB9TI
[8] https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Kayla-Harrison-Reveals-Hospitalization-Urinating-Blood-Prior-to-UFC-307-195164
Tags: Wrestling, Olympic Wrestling, UFC 307
