Kayla Harrison vowed to plant a kiss on UFC boss Dana White’s head once she became world champion, and she made her wish come true last night.
The legendary two-time Olympic gold medalist and PFL champion completed her goal last night in the co-main event of UFC 316 when she submitted Julianna Pena. There had been concern over her vicious weight cut, but she tipped the scales at 135lb and managed to put in an all-time performance.
She quickly celebrated her win inside the octagon with the UFC CEO, before heading out of the octagon and posing for photos with President Donald Trump and his family. She noted that she is a ‘big America fan’, and that she was honored to meet a sitting President.
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Kayla Harrison ‘kissed’ Dana White ‘on his bald head’ after UFC 316 win
Immediately after she tapped out Julianna Pena, Kayla Harrison was ecstatic to be able to celebrate her victory. She embraced UFC boss Dana White as he presented her with the belt, and the boss may have got a little more than he bargained for.
“After the fight, first I’m like ‘Dana’s wrapping the belt around my waist’,” she told media including Bloody Elbow at the post-fight press conference. “Then I’m like giving Dana a kiss on his bald head because I said I would so I did.”
Indeed, she had told MMAFighting’s Mike Heck in the lead-up to the fight that she would do exactly that in an emotional interview. “This is what it’s all about, you know?” She said at the time. “It’s all about daring to dream big.
“I know that I’ve put in the work, I know that I have the best team, I have the best game plan, I’m prepared, I’m ready and that is going to be the fruit of my labor.
“To feel those feelings, to feel the weight of the UFC belt go around my waist, to probably give Dana a big old kiss on his bald head and just hug my family… yeah, I can’t wait for that moment.”
Kayla Harrison plans to visit the White House after winning UFC title
As an Olympian who has represented her country at the highest level, there is no doubting Kayla Harrison’s commitment to her country. As a result, she was honored to meet the sitting president at cageside and pose for photos with him.
She even offered to visit the White House, which has proven a somewhat controversial choice for athletes in his two separate terms. “So I’m walking out and then the President of the United States is giving me a kiss on the cheek,” she recalled.
“I was like ‘holy s—, and then Mike Tyson is right there? I was like ‘am I in a movie right now? What’s happening?’ Obviously, always an honor [to meet the President], I’m a big America fan, big fan of our country.
“We live in the greatest place in the world and I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to represent it on the biggest stage in the world and now again tonight. Representing Team USA in front of our leader is an honor, big time. I think I might have to go check out his house or something, that’s what I heard.”