🦁🔥
#ufc300 pic.twitter.com/5VYCApO0Ke
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa)
April 14, 2024
Kayla Harrison was quick to respond to a video released by former two-division champion Amanda Nunes following her successful Octagon debut at UFC 300.
“I didn’t say her name because for me Amanda was already retired,” Harrison told Brazilian journalist Diego Rivas. “If she knew she was coming back, of course I would have called her out. But if she wanted to come back, I would welcome her with open arms. ”
Harrison looked strong in his first fight at 135 pounds, but admitted it was tough coming into this fight.
“That last pound was very tough mentally,” Harrison said. “I didn’t really sleep well that night, but when you set goals in life, you always achieve them.”
Current bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington recently said that Harrison should not compete for the UFC title in just his second appearance in the promotion. Harrison doesn’t necessarily agree.
“If I were Raquel, I would say the same thing if the beast came to take my money,” Harrison said. “But she also has to take into account that I’m a two-time Olympic champion, a two-time PFL champion, I’m 17-1, and I made a statement against a former champion in my UFC debut. I think it makes sense for me to have a shot at the title, given that everyone in that division fought against everyone, even though their job is not to put on matches. It’s not up to me to choose.”
When it comes to choosing between fighting for the belt and challenging Nunes, Harrison wants the best of both worlds.
“I want to win the title and fight Amanda,” Harrison said. “I don’t know…both. Amanda and the title are perfect.”
