Kayla Harrison, a two-time PFL champion and Olympic judo gold medalist, is open to taking additional fights on her path to a UFC bantamweight title shot despite recovering from surgery and maintaining a strict diet to make weight.
Kayla Harrison has a clear path to a UFC title shot. But she’s more than happy to take a stop on the road if asked.
That could be what lies ahead for Harrison. The two-time PFL champion made a successful octagon debut this past April at UFC 300, scoring a dominant win over Holly Holm.
Harrison’s PFL titles and Olympic judo gold medals have fans buzzing. They’re talking about her moving to the front of the line in the bantamweight division.
Champion Raquel Pennington is expected to face Julianna Peña before the end of 2024. Ailin Perez, 3-0 in the UFC’s 135-pound division, recently called out Harrison for a No. 1 contender fight.
Even though Harrison likely doesn’t have to answer that challenge, she just might. “I’ve heard that too,” Harrison said ahead of Thursday’s 2024 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas.
“The twerker and a judo girl,” she continued. “Listen, I’d fight both of them on the same night, so it’s fine.”
“I’ll fight anyone. I’m not saying no to anybody.” Sometimes it’s just a little outrageous; I don’t really know what to say,” Harrison added.
“You’re twerking, I can’t—I don’t know how to handle this.” Yes, I will fight you.”
The top of the bantamweight division is in limbo at the moment. Peña is waiting to fight Pennington; Pennington is still recovering from injury.
Harrison herself is recovering from her own injury while waiting to hear from matchmakers. She talked about maintaining her diet after years of not cutting lower than 145 pounds.
“To be honest, I had surgery after my fight,” Harrison said. “I had to have a ligament in my hand fixed and then got an infection.”
“So saying I went relaxed on the diet is an understatement.” It’s crazy how bad I felt.”
“I’m back on it now, thank God.” But I didn’t feel good and didn’t realize how important that part of my discipline is.”
Especially now. One-thirty-five is not easy; it took 12 weeks of being superhuman and super focused.
And I have to do it again and again and again—so it’s going to be a lifestyle change.” Should Pennington vs. Peña be booked in the next six months?
Harrison would like to be on the same card if she fights again. At the moment, she’s in the dark about what UFC plans for her.
“That’s above my pay grade,” Harrison said with a shrug. “We’ve got to talk to Hunter and Sean and Mick and Dana.”
“I know they have a good plan for me.” I believe in this company; I believe in their vision.”
If they need me to smash another skull before smashing [Pennington or Peña’s] skulls? That’s fine.”