Kayla Harrison shrugs off Demetrious Johnson's negative outlook on Amanda Nunes fight

USA Today

a day ago

Kayla Harrison shrugs off Demetrious Johnson's negative outlook on Amanda Nunes fight
Demetrious Johnson's call for Kayla Harrison to retire left the UFC women's bantamweight champion a little confused.
Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) claimed the 135-pound title by submitting Julianna Peña in this past Saturday's UFC 316 co-main event. The two-time PFL champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka immediately welcomed Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) into the octagon for a faceoff, setting up her next fight.
Johnson said Harrison fighting Nunes is a very bad idea and suggested that she retire. The comments came as a surprise considering that Harrison will have an opportunity to add the consensus greatest female fighter of all time to her resume, and has just recently started her UFC career.
Harrison made it clear that she completely disagrees with Johnson.
"I mean, everyone's entitled to their opinion," Harrison told MMA Junkie. "He gets paid to give his opinions, so fair play to him. I live my life out loud, and so there's a lot of room for people to have their own thoughts and speculate or comment on my life and my choices.
"But I think that it's important for people to know that I do believe in myself, and I think it's important for people to know that it's OK to believe in yourself. Like, how dare you tell me to think less of me? I'm the greatest, and I'm going to prove it."
Oddsmakers at least don't support Johnson's idea that Harrison fighting Nunes is a bad idea. Harrison has opened up as a slight favorite over former UFC dual champion Nunes, who will be coming out of retirement after hanging up her gloves in June 2023.
"I've never met the guy," Harrison said of Johnson. "I'm a huge fan of him. I have been for a long time. I've always considered him – I mean, he was my GOAT for a long time. So, whatever. It's none of my business what people think of me."