Kayla Harrison would possibly solely have two fights on her UFC document, however she feels like an previous professional relating to dealing with opponents throughout tense moments at press conferences.
On Thursday, the two-time Olympic champion acquired right into a shouting match with reigning UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña earlier than the fighters confronted off in an intense staredown on stage. Whereas they didn’t say a lot with UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik standing between them, the co-main occasion fighters did get pleasure from some verbal sparring beforehand.
Probably the most fiery change got here after Harrison was requested about probably dealing with former teammate Amanda Nunes after UFC 316 is completed. Nunes has been teasing her return to motion after retiring as a two-division champion again in 2023.
Harrison responded by saying “after I whoop her ass, I’m coming for Amanda.”
That earned a retort from Pena, who claimed Harrison’s solely path to victory concerned takedowns and a complete lot of stalling.
“Kayla, how are you going to beat me?” Pena shouted. “Like I requested you the final time. You gonna lay on high of me and cook dinner the clock for 25 minutes? As a result of that’s actually you’re solely likelihood to victory. That’s your solely likelihood to beat me is laying on high of me for 25 minutes.”
Harrison then hit her with the road of the press convention after she introduced up Pena’s document in comparison with her personal.
“How are you going to beat me?” Harrison stated. “You’ve been stopped thrice. You’re 11-5. You’ve misplaced extra fights than I’ve misplaced rounds in MMA.”
The group positively acquired louder after the dig delivered by Harrison, however regardless of the unhealthy blood between them, the faceoff didn’t end in any sort of bodily altercation.
As a substitute, they’ll save up all that vitality for Saturday evening when Harrison and Pena meet within the co-main occasion with the ladies’s 135-pound title going up for grabs.
