LAS VEGAS – Kayla Harrison is closing in on a UFC title shot.
Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) defeated former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut at UFC 300 to put herself in title contention. But with bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington expected to make her first title defense against Julianna Peña this fall, Harrison knows she needs to win one more fight before she has a shot at gold.
“That’s above my pay grade, my friend,” Harrison told MMA Junkie and other reporters on the red carpet of the UFC Hall of Fame on Thursday. “We have to talk to Hunter (Campbell) and Sean (Shelby) and Mick (Maynard) and Dana (White). I know they have a good plan for me. I believe in this company, I believe in their vision, and if they want me to crush another skull before I crush one of their (Pennington or Peña’s) skulls, that’s fine.”
Whoever she faces next, Harrison thinks it makes sense to fight on the same card as the title fight.
“I’d love that,” Harrison said. “I think this is a good call, in case any of them get nervous.”
The two-time PFL champion was challenged by Ailin Perez (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who defeated Joselyne Edwards at UFC 302 in June. Harrison is also open to fighting her.
“I heard that too, the twerker, right? And a judo girl,” Harrison said. “I’ll fight both of them on the same night. I’ll fight anybody. I don’t say no to anybody. Sometimes it’s just a little bit outrageous. I don’t really know what to say. I’m like, ‘You’re twerking,’ I don’t know how to handle it.”
Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
