Kayla Harrison recently picked up a stunning first-round victory against Kiwi kickboxer Genah Fabian in the semi-finals of the PFL women’s lightweight tournament. The two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist is now one fight away from capturing the women’s lightweight title for a second time.
A competitor at heart, Harrison has revealed her intentions of fighting the top women fighters in the world, and MMA legend Cris Cyborg is certainly one of them. Both fighters have been going at it on social media platforms for a while now.
In fact, just a few minutes after Kayla Harrison secured another victory this Thursday, Cris Cyborg put out a tweet. She wrote, “I can make 155lbs…#GrandSlamChampion”
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I can make 155lbs…#GrandSlamChampion
— 👀 #Bellator265 @CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) August 20, 2021
When asked what she thought of the former UFC featherweight champion’s remark, Kayla Harrison clapped back. She said, “We know she can make 155 pounds. Congratulations. Do you want a participation trophy? You can make it, but you can’t beat me.”
No minced words from @KaylaH 😬 #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Qn2uxft50U
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 20, 2021
Ever since her return to the PFL this year, Harrison has been extremely vocal about her plans to solidify herself as the greatest female fighter ever. Kayla Harrison possesses attributes that can allow her to realize this dream of hers, and a victory against arguably the greatest female mixed martial artist, Cris Cyborg, will be a great boost for her burgeoning MMA career.
Unfortunately, both fighters are a part of different promotions, with Cyborg ruling the featherweight division in Bellator. However, Harrison, who has only one more fight left on her PFL contract, could be on her way to another prominent organization at the earliest. Should Bellator acquire the Olympian during free agency, we might really get a chance to watch the two compete inside the cage.
Can Kayla Harrison become a UFC champion?
31-year-old Kayla Harrison has repeatedly expressed her interest in making her way to the UFC. Training at the American Top Team under Dan Lambert, Harrison believes she is ready to compete at the highest level.
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However, the former Olympian will have to drop a weight class down since there is no 155-pound division for women in the UFC.
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Inevitably, Harrison will have to compete at featherweight, a division ruled by the double champion, Amanda Nunes. At this point, one can imagine Harrison working her way through the ranks to a title fight with Nunes. However, getting the win over a powerful and evasive opponent like ‘The Lioness’ seems beyond the Olympian’s reach.
What do you think? Can Kayla Harrison become a champion in the UFC? Let us know in the comments.