Kayla Harrison only needs '30 seconds notice' to step in for UFC 307 title fight

Kayla Harrison is all set to step into the Octagon at UFC 307 as she prepares to face Ketlen Vieira in Salt Lake City, but she said she'll be ready to step in at a moment's notice if anything goes awry with the night's co-main event.

Reigning women's bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington is scheduled to put her 135-pound title on the line in the co-headliner when she faces former champ Julianna Pena. But, while there have been no major concerns so far as fight week gets underway in Utah, Harrison said that she's happy to be the UFC's insurance policy and be the backup fighter for the title clash.

Chatting to MMA Fighting , Harrison explained that she's making sure that she's not just ready for a non-title fight with Vieira, but also prepared for a short-notice championship opportunity, should one arise during fight week.

"That's what I heard (about being a backup fighter)," she explained.

"I mean, that's what I'm planning. My mindset is (on) Ketlen Vieira. Whoop her ass and be prepared for the unknown."

Harrison is happy to fight twice on one night

Harrison even said she'd be prepared to step in to fight for the title if she gets notice that there's an opening after her own fight. That would mean fighting twice on one night, but that's a challenge Harrison is clearly more than happy to take on.

"If I have to step in on short notice and fight, I will, absolutely. One thousand percent," she stated.

"On 30 seconds' notice I will (step in). Even after I fight Ketlen, if someone gets hurt in the back, I will still fight that fight.

Harrison wants to prove she's on a different level

Harrison made a huge impact on her UFC debut with a second-round submission of former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 to immediately put herself in the championship picture after her first fight at 135 pounds.

If she can follow up that win with another big performance, and another win, at UFC 307 , she will likely find herself next in line for the title. But clearly the former two-time Olympic champion and former PFL women's lightweight champion is a woman in a hurry. She just wants to get to the title via the quickest route possible.

But even if that opportunity doesn't come at UFC 307, there's a chance for her to prove that she's operating at a level above the two women who will be fighting for the belt on the same night.

"I'm not overlooking Ketlen," she said.

"She's a beast. Tough, great fighter and I'm prepared for anything. I also think it’s so good that I'm going to be on the card with (Pennington and Pena) so if they do fight, the world can just see what a different level I'm about to be on.

"They're just going to be like, 'Oh, that girl didn't fight for the title? What?' It's going to be good."