Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison had a difficult introduction to the UFC due to unruly fans, with one asking an inappropriate question about her during a Q&A, leading her to express her intention to help change the culture for future female fighters.
Kayla Harrison’s UFC journey kicked off on a sour note. The PFL’s poster girl since 2018, she knew switching promotions would be a challenge. But her first UFC experience was a harsher reality check than she’d anticipated.
Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had her first official UFC outing marred by unruly fans. This happened at a UFC 300 Fan Q&A. It was a far cry from what she was used to.
“The culture is very different,” Harrison confessed to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Her first UFC Q&A was a real eye-opener.
The event took a turn when a fan asked Arman Tsarukyan, her teammate, an inappropriate question about her. Despite the boos, Arman answered.
Harrison and Tsarukyan, both from American Top Team, cleared the air later. But the incident left a bitter taste. It was a rough introduction to the UFC fan base for Harrison.
“I look like an idiot,” she admitted. The next day, Russian outlets tagged her with the translation of the question. It was disheartening and disrespectful.
Harrison is more than just a fighter. She’s a two-time Olympic champion, a world champion, a mother, an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, and an author. The question was not just disrespectful to her but also to women in general.
Unfortunate fan interactions in UFC seem to be on the rise. Jon Anik, UFC commentator, even considered quitting because of the toxic fanbase. But Harrison has a different plan. She wants to change the culture for future fighters.
“At first I was super embarrassed and shocked,” she said. But she decided to keep being herself and speak up when the time is right. She wants to change the sport’s landscape, not just for herself, but for future female fighters.
“It’s just a different beast,” she acknowledged. The UFC is the big show, and fans can either love you or hate you. But it also brings a lot more eyes.