2025 hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Dagestani fighters because, besides Islam Makhachev and Magomed Ankalaev, others haven’t been able to make much of an impact. The MMA community hasn’t been too kind to the fighters hailing for the Russian Republic, but they aren’t the only ones getting strife. In fact, women’s bantamweight star Kayla Harrison appeared to be subjected to some criticism, but Team Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has come to their aid, with fans chiming in the conversation as well.

Kayla Harrison has often been deemed too big for the bantamweight division, as she reportedly walks around 160 pounds when she’s not in competition. Although shedding so many pounds isn’t a fun game to play since the Olympic gold medalist mostly competed in upper weight classes for most of her fighting career, she has comfortably made it to the bantamweight limit in both of her UFC fights.

However, former UFC fighter Megan Anderson doesn’t believe the weight-cutting practice is a sustainable method for Kayla Harrison. The 35-year-old veteran claims Harrison could feel the effects later in her life, especially because weight cuts have tremendous effects on “women.”

“Just because you can make the weight doesn’t always mean you should. For women, these big weight cuts, hormonally, is not good,” Megan Anderson told MMA Fighting. “Even if she [Kayla Harrison] does go out there, she dominates Juliana or… ends up becoming the champion, I don’t see her fighting for too much longer because it’s the toll on the body. It’s the quality of life.”

Well, Team Khabib’s manager certainly didn’t like the comments, and guess what? Even the fans sounded off on Megan Anderson for her statements. Let’s take a look at their reactions.

Fans and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team side with Kayla Harrison

Despite the recent setbacks, Dagestan has really emerged as the producer of some of the best fighters in the world. However, not everyone is a big fan of the region’s fighters, and there is a certain level of disdain in the community towards them. While defending them, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s ex-manager addressed the weight cut issue concerning Kayla Harrison because even ‘The Eagle’ suffered complications when he cut weight back in 2017.

Sensing envy, Ali Abdelaziz slammed Megan Anderson for her distasteful words about Kayla Harrison. “I see many fighters and media member rooting against the guys from Dagstan because they are so dominant [Kayla Harrison] get in the same treatment don’t hate congratulate.”
One fan replied, “No one hates women more than other women,” on X, echoing a pretty similar sentiment to that of Abdelaziz.

Given that Harrison is an Olympic judoka, very few people doubt that she doesn’t have the discipline to cut weight effectively. With that said, another fan added, “She’s an Olympian, I think she’ll be fine,” suggesting that Anderson not worry about Harrison. In the meantime, users on X didn’t stop from taking jibes at the former UFC fighter as well. “Not everyone is built weak as you,” said one fan questioning Megan Anderson’s physical capacity.

However, the attention shifted from Anderson’s physique to her looks as one fan mocked her physical appearance, saying, “Never trust a woman with lip fillers like meeeeeeegan.” But while we’re discussing the issue of weight cuts, an X user claimed that the effects of it are the same for anyone who undergoes that process. “News flash weight cutting is bad for everyone,” asserted that fan. While it’s interesting to speculate about Kayla Harrison and how her weight cuts will pan out in the future, some fans believe in taking the ‘one day at a time’ and letting time do the talking. “We will see how it plays out.”

Well, these fans have given their verdict on Megan Anderson’s claims. What about you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.