No pressure or anything.
“I like to inspire kids. I believe they can look at my path and do the same and dream about a bright future,” Harris added, highlighting that his position as a role model is one that is accepted graciously.
Even though it took eleven years, while Harris may have risen to some level of celebrity status in his home country, not much has changed about him. He’s still the same welterweight who puts in six hours of training a day, watching every fight card and spreading positivity over social media.
“I think that everything happened at the right time,” Harris said in reference to his decade-long professional career prior to his Octagon debut. “I think if I had gotten to the UFC earlier, I might not be as successful. Now, I have experience.”
That experience may be the difference maker this weekend as Harris prepares to upend the record of an undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“I know this guy is dangerous, a complete fighter, and has a lot of hype around him, but I’m here to fight. I don’t choose my opponents. Any opponent, I sign the contract and step up to face them,” the welterweight said, seemingly unfazed by Rakhmonov’s 14-straight professional wins — all coming by way of finish. “I’ve seen everything at this point. I went through a lot, with some difficult situations in the cage; I’m a survivor of the cage, and I’m ready.”