PFL Chairman Donn Davis believes his comments about Kayla Harrison’s move to the UFC were misunderstood, emphasizing respect for her career while expressing disappointment over missed opportunities for major fights in the PFL.
PFL Chairman Donn Davis thinks there’s been a mix-up with Kayla Harrison. Just a big misunderstanding, he says.
Harrison’s no stranger to the spotlight. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, she became the face of PFL after winning two lightweight tournaments. But earlier this year, she made headlines by jumping ship to the UFC.
Recently, at UFC 307, Harrison faced off against Ketlen Vieira. Before that fight, Davis stirred the pot by suggesting Harrison “ran from” potential bouts with Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco. Naturally, this didn’t sit well with Harrison or Pacheco.
Davis insists his words were twisted. “What I said had immense respect and context,” he explained to MMA Fighting. Yet, social media took it out of context. He tries to set the record straight.
“Firstly,” Davis said, “we’re proud of developing her from scratch. She’s one of my favorite fighters and among the greatest in women’s divisions.” Dana White never says that.
Secondly, they offered her an enticing deal to stay—basically a blank check and ticket for her career and beyond. Dana doesn’t do that either. They wanted her badly.
Thirdly, bigger fights awaited her at PFL: Cyborg and Pacheco were on the table. Those are bigger than her recent UFC fights. So why leave? That’s what Davis wants to know.
Davis claims his comments were factual and respectful. Yet, he’s puzzled why she chose UFC over PFL’s offers. He suspects it’s about brand validation; UFC’s brand is just bigger right now.
Harrison has been clear about her motives: she aims to win titles and cement her legacy in MMA. Davis believes she could’ve achieved that in PFL too.
“Now that Cyborg is seen as the GOAT,” Davis noted, “everyone wants Kayla vs. Cyborg.” It’s a mega-fight unless Nunes comes out of retirement, but Kayla put a stop to it.
Davis admits it wouldn’t profit him financially but wanted it for the fans. He tried for years to get Cyborg on board, even buying the company! But then Kayla left—frustrating!
In hindsight, Davis realizes his comments didn’t land as intended. If given another chance, he probably would’ve stayed silent.
“I spoke differently than Dana White ever would about fighters,” Davis reflected. “I should’ve kept quiet; explaining didn’t help.” No good came from it; lesson learned.
Davis harbors no ill will toward Kayla or desires negative clickbait for PFL. His goal was simple: give fans the biggest female fight ever—Cyborg vs. Kayla. Like Ahab chasing his whale, he spent so much energy on it only to see it slip away—it kills him.