Key Stats: 4.87 strikes landed per minute, 2.75 takedowns averaged per 15 minutes, 1.19 strikes absorbed per minute
Saturday’s Fight By Fight Preview
What It Means: A two-time Olympic gold medal winner in judo, Harrison is an imposing physical presence in the Octagon. She isn’t the cleanest on the feet, although she continues to improve her striking, but she operates best when she can get in close and get her hands wrapped around her opponent. Her clinch game, naturally, is nasty, and her array of takedowns, trips and throws are sights to see. On top, she prefers to dish out ground-and-pound above all else, although she can find a submission once she softens up her opponent.
What to Look For in the Fight: When Harrison can impose her will on her opponent, it often starts an avalanche that cannot be stopped. However, Peña’s cardio and toughness are unquestionable, so she has the potential to push the pace late into the fight. The general thought is the later into the fight it goes, the better it is for the champion. However, Harrison’s athleticism is special, so whether Peña has the physicality as well as the technique, to thwart Harrison’s grappling will be key for her.
Other Fights to Watch (Mario Bautista vs Patchy Mix)
Mario Bautista
