Kayla Harrison has fired back at Ronda Rousey, after the UFC legend accused her of having “the charisma of a wet towel” and dismissed her legacy.
On 16 May, Rousey will fight in mixed martial arts for the first time in 10 years, facing Gina Carano on a Most Valuable Promotions show. Meanwhile, Harrison is recovering from a neck injury as she aims to defend the UFC bantamweight title for the first time. She was scheduled to do so against a returning Amanda Nunes in January before sustaining her injury.
Harrison, 35, and Rousey, 39, both have backgrounds in Olympic judo, with Rousey winning bronze in 2008 and Harrison gold in 2012 and 2016. Rousey held the UFC bantamweight title from 2013 to 2015 and retired after a knockout loss to Nunes in 2016. Now, Rousey is returning to face Carano, who has not fought since 2009. Rousey has been outspoken during the build-up, prompting Harrison to respond.
“I think that the part that bothers me most about Ronda is at one point she was a real athlete... She became a UFC champion. She was really trying to chase greatness. I will never take away the fact that Ronda is probably the most-important female fighter; if it weren’t for her, for sure I wouldn’t be where I’m at,” Harrison said. “But this fight [with Carano] is not the greatest fight of all time... I’m chasing greatness. You’re chasing money. We’re different.”
Harrison was a lightweight champion in the PFL before debuting in the UFC in 2024 and cutting down to bantamweight. She submitted Holly Holm in her debut, outpointed Ketlen Vieira, and then submitted Julianna Pena to become bantamweight champion. It is unclear when Harrison will return, but she is still expected to face Nunes next.
