Two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo Kayla Harrison is 8-0 in MMA, and aims to become the women’s GOAT. However, that title hinges in no small part on depth of division. The greatest super heavyweight fighter of all time is not in the GOAT conversation, because the number of candidates is so small no one knows or cares who the 265+ GOAT is – Semmy Schilt, Hong Man Choi, Bob Sapp, Butterbean, Zuluzinho??!?
Harrison, 30, earned $1,000,000 in winning the 2019 PFL lightweight tournament, but the division is too thin to matter in the W-GOAT conversation. The PFL canceled their season this year in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, which allowed Harrison to fight temporarily outside the organization. In her last fight, a Round 2 TKO of now 4-2 Courtney King at Invicta FC 43 in November, Harrison cut for the first time to featherweight. And that brings GOAT candidates Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg into view.
145 will definitely be more beneficial to the business of Kayla Harrison than 155, said Harrison to Damon Martin for MMA Fighting. I wouldn’t say I’m stoked about cutting to 145. I didn’t enjoy it. But I do know that in terms of opportunity, it’s just going to be a better fit for me.
We’ll see what happens with the PFL. I’m going to finish my contractual duties. Obviously they’re working hard to get more fresh talent in there. I’m super excited about that. But right now, just take it one fight at a time.
think I’ve been very patient with my career. I haven’t rushed it. I haven’t stepped in after two fights and tried to fight an Amanda Nunes or a Cris Cyborg. I think I’ve developed my skill set. I think I’ve grown tremendously as a fighter and as a person. I think all the pieces are falling into place. Right when I’m ready, right when I’m in my prime, I’m going to be able to execute my game plan and go out and go down as one of the greatest. I see it happening. It’s pretty exciting.
I’m not even really well known yet. I’ve stayed quiet. Just gone out and done my work. I’m known in the MMA world but I didn’t blow up like Ronda [Rousey].”
I didn’t get pushed too hard, too fast. I didn’t fail to develop certain areas of my game. I didn’t lose who I am. I didn’t decide I’m just going to be a striker. I think I’ve done everything right and when you do everything right, good things happen to those people. I just think that it’s only a matter of time.
What do you think UG, could Kayla become the W-GOAT?
