Kayla Harrison 'Can't Be Stopped', Says Title Is 'Inevitable'

SALT LAKE CITY — Kayla Harrison would rather fight for the women's bantamweight title at UFC 307 on Saturday, but she trusts how the UFC is handling her career.

Former two-time PFL champion and two-time Olympian Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will make her second appearance in the octagon when she takes on perennial contender Ketlen Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC). at the Delta Center (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+). The bout comes just two bouts before a division title fight that will pit champion Raquel Pennington against Julianna Peña.

Although Harrison felt ready to fight for gold before her debut win over Holly Holm at UFC 300 in July, she welcomes the process of building herself up as a promotional unit.

“I understand,” Harrison told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 307 media day on Wednesday. “I’m the new kid on the block. I still have to prove myself. But everything is good. It's all ok.”

Anticipation is one of the greatest things in life, and Harrison believes a dominant performance against Vieira will lead to a wave of excitement when it comes to facing whoever wins between Pennington and Peña.

Harrison said there is already demand for her to fight for the belt and if she could do that on Saturday as well, she definitely would.

“It’s kind of what the fans want and it’s inevitable,” Harrison said. “I want to fight for the title and become UFC champion. Julianna got a shot at the title, so I'm going to smash Ketlen's skull, and then I'd like to go out after I beat Ketlen and fight those two girls. I think I can beat all three girls in the same night. I believe I’m the best in the world, and when you’re the best in the world, you can’t be stopped.”

Unless there are last-minute changes, Harrison will face Vieira at UFC 307. The Brazilian has played against almost all of the division's best throughout her career, but Harrison doesn't believe Vieira is prepared for the power that will come her way.

“The goal is always to go out there and dominate and show my will for three hard rounds, one minute at a time,” Harrison said. “One exchange after another. One breath at a time. But of course I’m aiming for a TKO, KO or submission.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 307 event hub.