The PFL shared a classy message to Kayla Harrison after her UFC 316 title win.
Multiple-time PFL world champion Kayla Harrison capped off her remarkable three-fight UFC stint with an epic title win on Saturday at UFC 316. Consistent with the mauling style she’s showcased throughout her MMA career, Harrison bullied Julianna Peña in their title fight to win by second-round submission.
In a matchup years in the making, Harrison made the most of her UFC world championship opportunity at UFC 316. She signed with the UFC last year after a long, decorated tenure in the PFL.
While Harrison’s PFL leave was initially messy, the two sides have since turned the page on her departure. After Harrison achieved her ultimate goal in MMA, it didn’t take long for her former employers to react to her performance.
PFL reacts to Kayla Harrison’s lopsided title win at UFC 316
As Harrison’s star power blossomed in the PFL, dream matchups with the likes of Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, and others were tossed around by the league. Many in the PFL believed Harrison deserved to be in the pound-for-pound mix in women’s MMA, but was omitted by ESPN and other outlets.
Years after Harrison was relatively overlooked during her PFL stardom by hardcore UFC fans and pundits, she made a strong case to be one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, regardless of gender.
In a recent post to X, PFL co-founder Donn Davis sent a message to Harrison after her UFC title win.
“Congratulations Kayla Harrison!” Davis said of Harrison.
“With a UFC belt you now get the credit you have long deserved !!
“4 years ago I crusaded media to respect your dominance…Maybe NOW more media will recognize and cover the GREAT MMA fighters not part of the UFC marketing machine.”
Davis’s message is in stark contrast to controversial remarks he made about Harrison after she left the PFL for the UFC. Davis accused Harrison of ‘running’ from the Cyborg fight; going as far as comparing her to NBA superstar Kevin Durant.
But ahead of UFC 316, Davis and the PFL took a more amiable turn towards the former face of their promotion. Things between Harrison and the PFL are on cordial terms after what was initially a messy divorce.
Kayla Harrison set to face former teammate in the biggest women’s MMA fight
After dismantling the reigning champion at UFC 316, Harrison will turn hER attention towards a former ally-turned-adversary for her first title defense. Harrison and Amanda Nunes are expected to clash next year, after the two faced off in the Octagon at UFC 316.
Nunes retired from MMA after a win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289, but has repeatedly teased a fighting comeback. She’s regarded by many as the greatest female MMA fighter of all-time.
The UFC world continues to deal with the aftermath of the UFC women’s bantamweight division’s massive shakeup. UFC 316 showed the best of what Harrison has to offer in MMA, but she’ll have to continue to grow to stop the UFC legend Nunes.