UFC 316 could see a new name join Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili at the top of the pound-for-pound ladder.
After Shevchenko’s victory over Manon Fiorot to successfully defend the flyweight title for the first time since beginning a second stint on the throne, ‘Bullet’ has cemented her spot as P4P number one.
Close behind is her potential next opponent, strawweight queen Zhang. Having defended the belt three times since the start of her second divisional rule, Zhang called Shevchenko out in pursuit of two-weight glory.
But while many have branded that as a potential super fight between the two best women currently active in MMA, one renowned coach sees things differently.
Kayla Harrison’s claim to the best female fighter crown backed by coach Mike Brown
During an interview with MMA Fighting, American Top Team coach Mike Brown previewed some of his fighters’ upcoming bouts.
The next high-profile outing for an ATT standout will be Kayla Harrison’s first UFC title shot. Harrison will challenge Julianna Pena at UFC 316, where she will enter as a significant favorite.
The odds are seemingly not a surprise for Brown, who insisted that Harrison is the best female fighter on Earth.
“I’m glad it’s finally here. We knew this day would come,” Brown said of Harrison’s title shot. “It’s a little bit extra cool when she started her career with us. She started her training at ATT from zero fights.
“Obviously she had a decorated judo background. But as far as MMA goes, she’s been with us [from the start]. She’s the best in the world, and it’s time to show everybody.
“She’ll do whatever it takes to show the world that she’s the best,” Brown added. “I think she’s the best female fighter on the planet.”
Kayla Harrison wants to prove her greatness against the consensus women’s GOAT
More than just becoming a UFC champion and establishing herself as the best active fighter, Harrison wants to prove herself against an all-time great.
Talk of Harrison and Amanda Nunes fighting has existed ever since they were teammates at ATT.
When ‘The Lioness’ left toward the end of her career owing to the American’s presence, the groundwork appeared laid for a future clash.
Harrison, for one, remains incredibly keen to throw down with the Brazilian legend.
“I have to go whoop on Julianna, but that was always the fight I wanted,” Harrison told Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie.
“I never meant it in like a disrespectful manner. I never meant it like, ‘I’m better than you.’ I just think that she is the greatest of all time. To me, that’s a very clear distinction of where she has put herself, and I didn’t come to the sport to be the second greatest.
“May we share the cage with respect and dignity, and may the best woman win.”
Nunes’ retirement briefly took the Harrison fight off the table, but it hasn’t taken long for the former two-division champ to make a career U-turn.
While unconfirmed, ‘The Lioness’ is expected to challenge the winner of Saturday’s UFC 316 co-main event between her former two-time opponent and ex-teammate.