'They need me to smash another skull'… Kayla Harrison lays out path to UFC bantamweight belt amid title shot rumors
06/28/2024 11:23 AM
UFC women’s bantamweight newcomer Kayla Harrison has laid out her path to the title after current champion Raquel Pennington’s next fight has been rumored to take place against Julianna Pena.
Kayla Harrison made her eagerly anticipated UFC debut back at UFC 300 in April, utterly dominating former champion, Holly Holm and submitting her in the second round.
Following her sensational win, former two-weight women’s champion, Amanda Nunes, shared her reaction on social media, showing disappointment that Harrison didn’t call her out, as the two have been linked together for several years.
Despite that, the 33-year-old called for a fight against current bantamweight champion, Raquel Pennington, however, that doesn’t look like it’ll be happening anytime soon.
Kayla Harrison outlines her path to the title with Pennington’s next fight rumored
This past Thursday evening, Aaron Bronsteter reported that both Pennington and Julianna Pena have signed contracts for that to be the next title fight.
Pennington’s first title defense will reportedly take place at UFC 307 on October 5, and it’ll mark Pena’s first fight in two years.
Talking to the media at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony on Thursday, Harrison admitted that it’s above her pay grade to figure out where that leaves her.
“We’ve got to talk to Hunter (Campbell), Sean (Shelby), Mick (Maynard), and Dana (White), I know that they have a good plan for me, I believe in this company, I believe in their vision,” the former two-time PFL lightweight champion stated.
“If they need me to smash another skull before I smash one of their (Pennington or Pena) skulls, that’s fine,” the 33-year-old added.
Harrison wants to fight ‘twerker’ on the same card as Pennington and Pena
The Olympic gold medalist went on to admit that she doesn’t want to fight too late into the year and would rather fight sooner than later.
Having said that, the Judoka stated that she would ‘love’ to be on the same card as Pennington and Pena, in case one of them gets ‘nervous’ and pulls out of their fight.
Harrison was recently called out by Ailin Perez, who is currently unranked at 135lbs but is riding a three-fight win streak. The American Top Team product stated that she would happily fight Perez whilst waiting for the title fight culmination.
“I would love that (to be on the same card). I think that’s a good call just in case one of them gets nervous.
“I’ve heard that too (that Perez wants to fight me), the twerker, right, and a Judo girl. Listen, I will fight both of them on the same night so that’s fine, I’ll fight anyone, I’m not saying no to anybody.
“Sometimes it’s a little bit outrageous I don’t really know what to say, I’m like, you’re twerking, I don’t know how to handle this, yes I will fight you (Ailin Perez),” Harrison said.
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