Kayla Harrison: Amanda Nunes is great, 'but don't talk sh*t about my team'

09/02/2024 01:20 PM

Kayla Harrison still has Amanda Nunes in her sights.

Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC), who hung up her gloves in June 2023, taunted Harrison for not mentioning her name after her debut win over Holly Holm at UFC 300 in April.

Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) explains that she didn’t target the former UFC dual-champion since she’s currently retired, and took issue with her departure from American Top Team – where they both used to train.

“I didn’t call Amanda out because Amanda’s retired, you know?” Harrison told Grind City Media. “I didn’t want to be that girl that’s like calling out old people, retired people, like people who are fat and happy sitting on the couch. I’m happy for her. I think also she struggles to not be in the limelight still.

“So I think when I had my moment, maybe she needed to come in, which is fine – and I have no beef with Amanda. Listen, the only problem I have with Amanda is that she talks sh*t about the greatest team in the world, (American Top Team). Personally, I think she’s great – but don’t talk sh*t about my team.”

Harrison meets Ketlen Vieira on Oct. 5 at UFC 307 from Salt Lake City – on the same night bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington defends her title against Julianna Peña. The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and two-time PFL champion is currently focused on UFC gold, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to eventually fight Nunes.

“I would love for her to come back,” Harrison said. “That is literally the dream scenario for Kayla Harrison and her career. When she retired, I was like, ‘What are you doing? Not yet, wait!’ I’m glad she made the video, but now she’s going to be hearing from me. I have a couple of steps to take, and then she’s going to be hearing from me.”