Two-time PFL champion and current free agent Kayla Harrison isn’t yet sure where she’ll compete next, but she’s excited by the multiple opportunities that could await.
Harrison (12-0) made it clear during PFL’s 2021 campaign that she would test the waters of free agency following the season’s conclusion and then steamrolled her way through the competition to stay undefeated in her pro career and claim her second PFL title – not to mention the $1 million prize that comes along with it.
Harrison said the pending negotiations were a little stressful at times but didn’t have too much of an impact on her performances in the cage.
“Honestly, it wasn’t too bad,” Harrison told MMA Junkie. “There were moments, for sure, where I was super stressed just because, you know, the unknown is such a scary thing for me. Like, where am I going to go? What am I going to do? I have two kids that – like, the unknown, no security is kind of a scary thing. But again, I had faith in myself.
“I had faith that if I went out there and I did my job and I was so good that they couldn’t ignore me, that I would end in a good spot and find myself in a fantastic position. That’s where I’m at right now. You know, I’m in a fantastic position.”
Harrison has been seen in attendance at both UFC and Bellator events since the conclusion of the PFL season, though she declined to discuss how much business was conducted behind the scenes.
“I mean, I think it was just having some fun,” Harrison said. “I didn’t have to train. My coaches forced me to take some time off, so I was like, ‘All right,’ and my mom was in town, so I had a babysitter.
“But no, I really enjoyed the events. I enjoyed going to Bellator. Obviously, it was 20 minutes from my house, so that was pretty nice. Scott Coker was a great host. It was a very exciting event. … Obviously the fights for the UFC were amazing in New York. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a more exciting night of fights. I was super impressed. It was a fantastic night of fights. So yeah, I mean, I’m just kind of hanging out – training, watching fights, raising kids.”
Harrison will certainly field multiple offers for her services, and with each of them comes some interesting possibilities. A UFC deal would certainly bring talk of her fighting her American Top Team stablemate Amanda Nunes (21-4 MMA, 14-1 UFC), which Harrison admits could potentially create some awkward situations around the gym.
Harrison has actually been helping Nunes train for her upcoming title defense at UFC 269 against Julianna Pena and has steadfastly remained committed to the idea that if the two ever do meet in the cage, it will be with the utmost of respect and honor on both sides.
“Personally, I love Amanda; I think she’s amazing,” Harrison said. “I don’t want to piss off all of our teammates and coaches, and everyone have to, like, pick a side. That would be terrible, sh*tty. And listen, the UFC, I am also at that point in my life where I know my worth and I know my value and we’ll see what happens, you know? Of course, the greatest compliment I can give to Amanda is that I want to fight her, but I want to fight her and then, like, we all go out to eat after, you know? Like, there’s no animosity, … and I’ve been helping her train for Julianna.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a teammate, and I feel like that to my core. That’s who I am as a person. It’s not personal out there, it’s just business, and it’s not done with malicious intention. It’s all nothing but good vibes for me, you know? I consider it an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as her. You know, she’s the greatest of all time for a reason, and I put a lot of respect on that name, and I don’t call people the greatest of all time lightly, so it’s nothing but love for me.”
Meanwhile, signing with Bellator would immediately bring calls for a clash with another all-time great in reigning women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (24-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA). Harrison admits she’s intrigued by the possibility but also insists it’s a fight that wouldn’t be hyped through trash talking.
“I think (Bellator has) done a great job of building the 145 division,” Harrison said. “Their champion, Cyborg, is someone who is another huge pioneer in the sport. Huge name. One of the greatest, not the greatest, but one of the greatest fighters of all time, and who doesn’t want to – you know, I think that would be a great test for me.
“I think that again, there’s no animosity. There’s no like, you know, ‘I want to kill her,’ or, ‘F*ck her.’ Like, there’s none of that. It’s just like she’s another stepping stone on the path to greatness, and absolutely, I think Bellator is a great, great organization. I don’t have anything bad to say about them. I think they would be a great spot for me if if it works out, for sure.”
Outside of the two largest promotions in the world potentially vying for her services, Harrison said she hasn’t completely ruled out the idea of returning to the upstart PFL, where she’s fought for all but one of her career contests to date.
“I do love the PFL,” Harrison said. “I believe in the format. I believe in the system. I believe that is the future of MMA. If you want to be more sport-based and less like these circus shows that we’ve got going on nowadays, I think that you should have to earn your way to a title. I think that if you want money, you should have to win. I think that that solves a lot of the gripes in the MMA community, both from on the fighter side and on the promoter side.
“I’ve had a great experience – you know, I grew up in that cage. There’s nothing but love there, and I hope that we can come to an agreement, and I hope that we can figure it out, and I know they’re bringing in new talent. I know they’re constantly trying to push the envelope and expand and make it better and better every year, and I support that 100 percent.”
Ultimately, Harrison said she’s going to listen to the team around her to guide her to the proper decision, but she’s hoping to have some clarity before the end of the year. In the meantime, she’s looking to spend the holidays with her two kids until it’s time to put pen to paper on a new deal – which, at 31, she astutely points out isn’t necessarily going to be the last one she ever signs.
“It’s really going to be about what my coaches think, what my advisers think,” Harrison said. “All of them play a really big role in helping me make this big choice, and that doesn’t mean that this year is one way and the next year is another. Like, who knows? Maybe I can do it all. Maybe I can make a sh*t ton of money and fight in every promotion and win it all. Maybe I am a unicorn. Maybe I really can. I believe it.”
To see the full interview with Harrison, check out the video below.