The verbal sparring between Kayla Harrison and Ronda Rousey continues with intensity.
Rousey is set to make a much-anticipated return to mixed martial arts after nearly a decade away. She is scheduled to face fellow veteran Gina Carano in a featherweight main event at Most Valuable Promotions’ inaugural MMA event on May 16th. The fight will take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
In the lead-up to her comeback, Rousey has been actively promoting the bout, boldly labeling it as “the biggest MMA fight of all time.” She has also responded to comments made last month by the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion, who questioned the hype surrounding the May 16th contest.
Harrison and Rousey have a history of public disputes, often fueled by comparisons of their accomplishments. Rousey, a UFC Hall of Famer, is an Olympic bronze medalist in judo and was once part of the same U.S. Olympic team as Harrison, who went on to win two Olympic gold medals in the sport.
The tension between Kayla Harrison and Ronda Rousey has now escalated into open animosity, with both fighters using every opportunity to criticize each other.
Kayla Harrison Fires Back Hard At Ronda Rousey
In a recent interview with UFC on Paramount+, Kayla Harrison responded to Ronda Rousey, suggesting that Rousey is exaggerating her achievements in combat sports.
While Harrison acknowledged Rousey’s pioneering role in women’s MMA, she took issue with how the former WWE star is promoting her fight against Gina Carano. Harrison firmly believes there remains a significant and evident disparity between their respective career trajectories.
“I think the most concerning aspect about Ronda is that, at one point, she was a true athlete,” Kayla Harrison stated. “She was preparing for the Olympics, she achieved an Olympic bronze medal, she became the UFC champion, and she was genuinely striving for greatness. I will never diminish the fact that Ronda is likely the most important female fighter.
“And if it weren’t for her, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today; I wouldn’t have this career. However, this fight is not the greatest fight of all time. It’s between someone who hasn’t competed in 10 years and is coming off two knockout losses, and another woman who is a pioneer but hasn’t fought in 17 years and is in her 40s. So, don’t call it the greatest fight of all time as if I’m pursuing greatness. You are pursuing money.”
