UFC champion Kayla Harrison dismisses potential Ronda Rousey comeback fight as "free money"

Kayla Harrison is set to defend her UFC women's bantamweight title on January 24 at UFC 323. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she continues the legacy of elite judokas dominating the division.

Ronda Rousey, the Olympic bronze medalist and former Strikeforce champion, made history as one of the first women in the UFC back in 2013. Rousey, a UFC Hall of Famer, retired from mixed martial arts in early 2017. Recently, she has sparked speculation about a return after sharing training clips online. Rumors from BoxingScene suggest a possible boxing bout with Katie Taylor, while other proposed matchups have included Gina Carano.

When asked about the potential for a fight against Rousey on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Harrison reacted with skepticism. "That'd be some free money," she said, noting that she and Rousey are not friends. Harrison added, "Who is she going to fight? She's not going to fight Katie Taylor in boxing. If you said MMA, I'd say OK."

The two athletes share a long history in judo. Both trained at Jimmy Pedro's Judo Center in Massachusetts and even lived together for a period before the 2008 Olympics. Harrisons journey diverged when she left her Ohio training home after experiencing sexual abuse from her former coach, Daniel Doyle, who was later convicted and sentenced in 2011.

While Harrison did not compete in the 2008 Olympics, Rousey won a bronze medal. Harrison later won gold in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. The two also faced each other in two official judo matches during their pre-Olympic careers, with Rousey winning both.

Reflecting on the idea of a potential MMA fight years later, Harrison acknowledged the past matches and the personal challenges she endured. "Sometimes I can't even write [it]. It's too poetic," she said, noting that Rousey was victorious in their early encounters and that she accepts that outcome.

Although a Harrison vs. Rousey fight remains unlikely, Harrison is focused on her next challenge: defending her title against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas. Nunes, who retired in June 2023 after a legendary run, had previously ended Rouseys MMA career in December 2017 with a knockout at UFC 207.

This upcoming fight will not only mark Harrison's first title defense but also coincide with the UFC's new broadcasting era under Paramount and CBS, following a $7.7 billion, seven-year deal.

Author: Sophia Brooks