Los Angeles – Kayla Harrison didn’t mince words when asked about Ronda Rousey’s impending return to mixed martial arts. The two-time PFL champion dismissed the narrative surrounding Rousey’s first fight in nearly eight years, calling the former UFC star “irrelevant” while providing an update on her own recovery from a recent neck surgery. Rousey is slated to headline MVP MMA 1 on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, a card that has generated significant discussion, particularly in comparison to upcoming UFC events.
Harrison, who was originally scheduled to compete on a UFC card before being sidelined by injury, offered a blunt assessment of Rousey’s comeback during an appearance on the Death Row MMA podcast with Jorge Masvidal. The candid conversation quickly turned to Rousey’s recent claims, including her assertion that her 2014 fight against Gina Carano was the greatest women’s MMA bout of all time. Harrison’s response was swift and dismissive.
Harrison Challenges Rousey’s Claims and Relevance
“I don’t think we should talk about this because I don’t think I have anything nice to say,” Harrison stated on the podcast. She then directly challenged Rousey’s assessment of the Carano fight, pointing out that Carano hasn’t competed in 17 years. “She [Gina Carano] hasn’t fought in 17 years, like shut up,” Harrison said. She further emphasized her point, revealing that a teammate, Chris Duncan, also questioned the attention surrounding Rousey’s return. “He was like, ‘What are we even talking about? She’s so f—— irrelevant.’”
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
The animosity between Harrison and Rousey extends back to their judo days, though they competed in different eras of the sport. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo (Olympics.com), has established herself as a dominant force in MMA with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Rousey, a former UFC champion and a pioneer for women in MMA, last fought in 2016.
Recovery and Return to Training
Beyond her critique of Rousey, Harrison also provided an update on her own recovery from neck surgery, which forced her to withdraw from a planned fight. MMA journalist Johnny Eblen initially reported that Harrison had already resumed training, according to Bloody Elbow. Harrison clarified the timeline, stating she will only initiate drilling again pending the results of a CT scan scheduled for next week.
“I’m feeling good,” Harrison said. “I’m still not cleared for contact, but I’m doing a lot of strength and conditioning. If the CT scan looks good next week, I’ll start drilling. Hopefully, I’ll be back sparring several weeks after that.” The specifics of her return to competition remain uncertain, but Harrison’s focus is clearly on regaining full health and resuming her PFL championship pursuit.
The MVP MMA 1 card, promoted by Nakisa Bidarian, features a mix of established veterans and rising prospects. The event is drawing comparisons to the UFC’s upcoming card at the White House (MMA Fighting), but Harrison’s comments suggest she views Rousey’s return as largely inconsequential to the broader landscape of women’s MMA.
Harrison’s pointed remarks highlight a clear divide in opinion regarding Rousey’s comeback. While some fans are excited to notice the former champion back in action, others, like Harrison, question the motivation and relevance of the return. The May 16 event will ultimately provide the answer, but Harrison has already made her position abundantly clear.
The next key date for Kayla Harrison is the results of her CT scan next week, which will determine the timeline for her return to full training. Fans and analysts will be closely watching for updates on her recovery and potential future matchups. What are your thoughts on Kayla Harrison’s comments and Ronda Rousey’s return? Share your opinions in the comments below.
