Kayla Harrison won’t call out another teammate. Ronda Rousey is a different story.
Harrison submitted Amanda Nunes in the fourth round of the UFC 334 co-main event at Madison Square Garden to retain the women’s bantamweight title. Much of the build-up centered on their history as former American Top Team training partners.
So when Harrison was asked at the post-fight press conference about facing unbeaten teammate Bia Mesquita next, she did not hold back.
Are you guys f— kidding me right now?
Are you really gonna do this with another teammate? No, no I’m not gonna start saying I’m gonna fight Bia, no, I’m not doing this. Of course she’s trying to be the best and I have no problem if Bia says she wants to fight me but I’m not gonna go and call out my teammate.
Mesquita is 9-0 in MMA and has won four straight in the UFC. Her latest was a first-round submission of Macy Chiasson. She is ranked No. 11 in the division, so a title shot may still be a ways off.
Kayla Harrison Eyes Ronda Rousey
Harrison’s attention appears to be elsewhere. She has long been tied to Rousey through their judo backgrounds, and the two have traded shots before.
I’ve got to go and get that other belt. You know, I don’t want to speak quickly and then not have to be a woman of my word, I’ll go back and speak to my team and take some time…
I mean if Ronda wants to come and get some, that’d be fun. Free money.
Rousey returned to MMA earlier this year with a first-round win over Gina Carano at MVP MMA’s first event. She was critical of the UFC and Dana White throughout the lead-up to that comeback, making a clash with Harrison inside the Octagon a long shot.
White, meanwhile, said after the event that he is open to a Harrison vs. Nunes rematch at 145 pounds. Fans have also questioned how long Harrison can keep making the brutal cut to 135 pounds.
