TLDR
- Kayla Harrison dismissed comparisons to Ronda Rousey at a UFC press conference, saying they only share being blonde and doing judo
- Harrison emphasized she won two Olympic gold medals in judo compared to Rousey’s one bronze medal
- Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed deep-seated personal animosity between the two from their judo days
- Harrison expressed skepticism about reports of Rousey returning to combat sports to box Katie Taylor
- Harrison implied she intends to succeed against Amanda Nunes where Rousey failed in previous UFC bouts
UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has made it clear she does not appreciate being compared to former champion Ronda Rousey. At a recent UFC seasonal press conference, Harrison addressed the frequent comparisons between herself and Rousey head-on.
“The only things we have in common is we’re blonde and we did judo,” Harrison said. She pointed out a key difference in their Olympic achievements, noting she won two gold medals while Rousey earned a bronze.
The comments reflect a deeper tension between the two fighters that goes back years. Harrison’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has confirmed there is personal animosity between the two women that dates back to their judo days before either entered mixed martial arts.
Roots in Judo Competition
Both Harrison and Rousey competed in judo at the highest levels before transitioning to MMA. Rousey won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first American woman to medal in Olympic judo.
Harrison went even further in the sport. She captured Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, establishing herself as one of the most decorated American judokas in history.
The history between them in the judo world appears to have created lasting friction. Abdelaziz described the relationship as having “deep-seated personal animosity” that developed during their time competing in the same sport.
Harrison Questions Rousey’s Boxing Plans
Harrison also expressed doubt about recent reports suggesting Rousey might return to combat sports. Rumors have circulated that Rousey could face boxer Katie Taylor in a boxing match.
Harrison questioned the legitimacy of these reports during her press conference appearance. She seemed skeptical that Rousey would actually step back into competitive fighting after retiring from MMA in 2016.
Rousey left the UFC after suffering back-to-back knockout losses. Her final fight was a first-round knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.
Harrison made a pointed reference to that loss during her comments. She implied she plans to succeed against Nunes where Rousey failed, though the exact context of that comparison was not detailed.
Nunes retired from MMA in 2023 as the UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion. She is widely considered the greatest female fighter in MMA history.
Harrison joined the UFC after a successful career in the PFL (Professional Fighters League). She won the PFL women’s lightweight championship twice and entered the UFC as one of the most highly anticipated signings in recent years.
The 34-year-old has now captured the UFC bantamweight title. She continues to distance herself from comparisons to Rousey, preferring to establish her own legacy in the sport.
Despite their shared judo backgrounds, Harrison wants fans and media to recognize her as a separate entity. Her Olympic accomplishments and current championship status form the foundation of her argument against the constant comparisons.
