Former PFL champion Kayla Harrison believes she has earned a shot at the bantamweight title and is a fighter against Raquel Pennington.
Harrison is set to face Ketlan Viera instead, but her eyes are set on the winner of Pena vs. Pennington.
“I mean, look, I’m not the most patient person,” Harrison told MMA Fighting. “I feel like that has always been a struggle for me. Like I want it, and I want it on time. I want when I say I want it, not for me, God’s time. So I was hopeful — I just feel ready. I’m ready. I’m ready for everyone in the division. And, I’m prepared to go out there and prove that I am the best in the world and deserve to be UFC champion.
“Having said that, I think that a lot of people wanted me to fight for the title, but from what I understand, Dana [White] is a man of his word and he made a promise to Julianna so it’s her turn now. Whoever wins that fight, enjoy it while you can. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
The fighter is eager to face the winner of the fight, although she favors Pena in this regard. She believes the fighter’s two-and-a-half-year hiatus from the cage could pose a problem in the upcoming bout.
“I just think for me, I tend lean towards the grappler-heavy style,” Harrison explained. “So I know Julianna’s a little bit more of a grappler, I would say, than Raquel. Raquel’s just [a] tough, durable boxer. She’s decent everywhere, but her strength lies more in her striking and dirty boxing. I would say Julianna’s strength is more in her grappling, so I tend to lean towards the grapplers.
“Having said that, I think this is a 50/50 fight. Julianna hasn’t fought in so long. Ring rust in a real thing, in my opinion. Raquel is champion of the world and when you’re champion of the world, that gives you a certain confidence in yourself and your skills and your team. Make no mistake, stepping into a cage and locking the door is f*cking terrifying. The mental side of this sport is so much bigger than I think people can process. Being a champion, I think makes a difference.”
“I mean, listen, would I rather put an elbow through Julianna’s skull or Raquel’s skull — Julianna, every day of the week that ends in ‘Y,’” Harrison said. “But no emotion.
“This is my job. This is what I do. I’ll fight whoever’s in front of me. But having said that, yeah, for sure I would definitely enjoy [beating Peña]. That would be a great night for me.”
Although Harrison believes she is the top contender for a fight with the fi=einner of the bout, all this may change if Amanda Nunes makes a comeback. The former champion hung up her gloves in June last year and vacated the title. However, she is a guaranteed shoo-in if she ever decides to make a comeback. In an interview with Submission Radio, Harrison revealed she would not be delighted with this twist.
“Yeah I mean, I hope not. I just don’t think she’ll ever fight me so I don’t think that her cutting the line, beating up Peña again and taking another big payday and then leaving, like that would really p*** me off. So I hope that I fight for the title and then if she wants to come cut the line, she’s more than welcome.”
