It seems that not only is MMA free agent Kayla Harrison a hot commodity among many of the top fight organizations in the business, she is also getting calls from the top promotion in all of professional wrestling, the WWE.
After winning a second straight PFL women’s lightweight championship in October, Harrison (12-0) has become the top free agent in the sport. She has suggested a move to compete in the UFC, was wined and dined by Bellator President Scott Coker at the promotion’s event earlier this month, and her long-time home the PFL is still very much in the running for her services.
However, it seems that the sports-entertainment leader is also interested in the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning Judoka. But, don’t get your hopes set on seeing Harrison follow fellow Olympic medalist and UFC veteran Ronda Rousey to the WWE ring.
WWE has been checking in on MMA free agent Kayla Harrison
“WWE’s been calling too, but we’re interested in real fighting. … No, [she’s unlikely to sign there] because she’s focused on fighting right now,” Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports earlier this week.
WWE checking in on Harrison is no surprise since there has been a ton of cross-over between professional wrestling and mixed martial arts over the last decade. Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Rousey followed up her UFC run with a year of dominance in the WWE. Former WWE superstar CM Punk competed in the Octagon twice with disastrous results. And current WWE star Bobby Lashley left the wrestling industry and became a solid rising talent in Bellator’s heavyweight division before returning to predetermined fights for bigger money.
Ali Abdelaziz wants his client to show some loyal to the PFL
However, with Harrison unlikely to become a pro wrestler, where will her next cage fight take place? Abdelaziz says he is here to serve the 31-year-old fighter and make sure she is “happy” with her next employer, but the CEO of Dominance MMA seems to have a preference for his budding MMA superstar.
“I believe you need to be loyal a little bit in this business. And I think PFL deserves [loyalty] them, and we’re gonna see what they’re gonna say. Everyone’s trying to sign Kayla. Even Walmart is trying to sign Kayla,” Abdelaziz joked.” … It doesn’t matter where she’s gonna be. Whatever Kayla wants. Like I said, I’m a servant, [and] I have many masters. She is my master, and I’m gonna serve and make sure she makes the best money.
“Number one thing for Kayla is not really the money, she has to be happy. And I think she is happy at PFL. Listen, I’ve got a great relationship with UFC, Bellator, whatever it is, but I have to show a little bit of loyalty to PFL.”
Happiness is more important than money for Harrison because her manager claims she is already the best-paid fighter in the MMA game.
“Right now she is [the richest fighter in MMA]. She’s making more money than anybody in this business right now,” said Abdelaziz.
Where do you hope to see Harrison land for her next fight?