UFC heavyweight Walt Harris was more familiar with his opponent than usual at UFC San Antonio.
Harris, who knocked out Aleksei Oleinik in 12 seconds in the co-main event last weekend, trained with Oleinik often during his time at American Top Team in Florida. Harris said he considers Oleinik a friend and that it was difficult fighting him.
Harris hasn’t trained at American Top Team since 2017; Oleinik is still there today.
“We worked together extensively,” Harris told Bloody Elbow. “We would text each other and drill and do things to help each other. It was honestly tough to fight him, and especially to see him go down like he did after the fight with the injuries, that was hard for me.