UFC star Kayla Harrison fended off PFL co-owner Donn Davis, who took a shot at her for leaving PFL. Now that the Olympian has successfully transitioned and debuted in the UFC, her legacy could surpass what it already was. However, the shots from Donn Davis did not go unnoticed. Harrison has now fired back at Davis and the critics for criticizing her decision.
The two-time PFL lightweight champion made waves during her five-year tenure. She was settling in to face Cris Cyborg before her departure. Thus, stems Davis’ undertone of resentment for the mega fight not materializing. Along with Alex Pereira, Arman Tsarukyan, Al Iaquinta, and Aljamain Sterling, she recently attended The MMA Hour. Harrison gave her honest thoughts on the show with Ariel Helwani.
Honestly, I’m living my best life…I take great pride in what I built at the PFL. I carried that company on my back for quite a while, and I’ve got big shoulders, …so I could handle it. I just don’t have time for that bullsh*t. I’m doing what I want to do…I tried to fight Cyborg several times, I’m not going to bet my career on Cyborg saying yes to me…I’m going to be great, I’m going to go win the UFC title…
Kayla Harrison via MMAFighting on SBN; one-night exclusive audio show
Davis compared Kayla Harrison’s transitioning to NBA star Kevin Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors. He even took a jab at the move as a step to earn validation before realizing a championship run. The former PFL star made her UFC debut in April with a Round 2 submission of former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300.
With her big debut splash, the Judoka is already close to realizing that shot at undisputed gold. Harrison said she’d lure back former ATT stablemate and women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes for that purpose. With the amount of history they need to put to bed, the ‘Lioness’ already had quite a reaction to Harrison’s phenomenal UFC 300 debut. It remains to be seen where they go from here on.
Kayla Harrison and Co. have fun during UFC 302 fight eve
No. 4 ranked bantamweight Kayla Harrison has had quite a magnetic presence even before her long-awaited UFC debut. After her high-spirited entry into the UFC, she has made a few more friends and stablemates along the way. The 33-year-old from the American Top Team made her way to UFC 302 at the Prudential Center, NJ. this past weekend. She had quite a few people in tow.
Kayla Harrison during UFC 302 Fight Week (Source: (@kaylaharrisonofficial) on Instagram)She attended The MMA Hour LIVE from Newark (May. 31), New Jersey at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for a one-night exclusive show. Along with Pereira, Daniel Cormier, and others, she talked to host Ariel Helwani about a handful of stuff. Afterward, she, Pereira, Robbie Lawler, and Merab Dvalishvili visited Jenkinson’s Boardwalk (@jenksboardwalk) at 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
Alex Pereira, Robbie Lawler, Merab Dvalishvili, and Kayla Harrison driving bumper cars is the content I never knew we needed 😁 pic.twitter.com/8sTRQYEmEH
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) May 30, 2024
From Bumper cars at the arcade to posing at the Boardwalk, Harrison and her fun garrison did it all. As a matter of fact, Lawler and Dvalishvili feeding penguins later on went immensely viral amongst fans. Before the day rolled out, though, she sparred with ‘Poatan’ and his coach, Plinho Cruz, who happens to be a former @cffcmma Heavyweight Champion and Bellator MMA veteran.
All work and all play – that’s who Harrison is. She’d later attend the UFC 302 event as well. She’s also keeping her training on, aiming for the gold. Once she gets her pace, she aims to steamroll her way up to the top spot.
