- Kayla Harrison lifted the lid on why she snubbed Amanda Nunes as her target opponents
- The former PFL champ vowed to fight anybody who wants her but she needs to win the UFC title first
Kayla Harrison has got her eyes locked on winning the UFC title and it’s the only reason why she didn’t mention the retired Amanda Nunes in her call for a title shot.
Kayla only cares about the title and not the holder
Speaking to the media in her post-UFC 300 presser, Harrison reiterated that her “goal” is to win the UFC bantamweight title and she doesn’t care whoever is holding it at the moment. With Raquel Pennington likely to defend her belt against Julianna Pena, Harrison said it only makes sense that she called the pair out during her Octagon interview.
“The goal was to go out and make a statement and be so good that that’s what’s next,” Harrison pointed out. “I want to be UFC champion by the end of the year, so I hope that I did enough tonight to do that. I hope that I impressed the boss and the matchmakers, so we’ll see.”
Shortly after Harrison submitted Holly Holm at UFC 300, Nunes teased fans for a potential showdown with the former PFL champ. For Harrison, a fight with “Lioness” is also interesting but she didn’t call Nunes out because she is not the current champ.
“Listen, I didn’t call Amanda’s name because she’s not the UFC champion. She retired, I thought she was happily retired,” she explained. “I would love to win a UFC title, and if Amanda wants to come back, I would welcome her with open arms.”
🦁🔥 #ufc300 pic.twitter.com/5VYCApO0Ke
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) April 14, 2024
Cris Cyborg also expressed her desire to take on Harrison following her UFC 300 win. Kayla said she is open to doing it as well.
“I would be down for that too,” Harrison said of Cyborg’s callout.
Ready for whatever
In conclusion, Harrison said she is just trying to stick to the plan right now and that is to earn the title shot. After that, Harrison guarantees that anybody who wants a piece of her would be welcomed.
“There’s not much I wouldn’t be down for right now, I really want to win a UFC title but after that, I’m game for whatever,” Harrison said.
Harrison is now on her way to becoming one of the biggest draws in the UFC. It is yet to be known where her UFC debut victory would put her next but it’s safe to say she is on the right track to bantamweight title contention. However, Pennington already said in the past that she wouldn’t appreciate it if Harrison gets a title shot after winning her UFC debut.
Watch Harrison’s full presser below:
