Demetrious Johnson, the flyweight GOAT himself, has some serious concerns about Harrison's championship celebration turning into a nightmare!
The women’s bantamweight division just got a major shakeup at UFC 316. Kayla Harrison walked into the octagon as the challenger and walked out as the new champion. She submitted Julianna Pena, claiming her first UFC title after dominating the PFL for years. The moment felt electric, especially when Amanda Nunes stepped into the cage for an impromptu faceoff.
Harrison immediately started calling out the retired legend, setting up what could be the biggest women’s MMA fight in years. But not everyone thinks this potential superfight is a good idea. Demetrious Johnson, the flyweight GOAT himself, has some serious concerns about Harrison’s championship celebration turning into a nightmare!
Johnson didn’t mince words when discussing this potential matchup on his YouTube channel. He thinks Harrison should pump the brakes on calling out Nunes and maybe consider hanging up the gloves instead. The former UFC flyweight king believes this fight represents a dangerous gamble for the new champion.
“If I was Kayla Harrison, I would retire from the sport. Don’t fight Amanda Nunes…I think that’s a very, very bad idea. Yes, Kayla Harrison is a world champion, but when you look at the roster of what Amanda Nunes fought and what Kayla Harrison fought, there’s no f*cking comparison…Just the talent pool Amanda Nunes has fought in mixed martial arts, blows everything that Kayla Harrison has done in her entire career, just the talent pool.”
Johnson’s take might sound harsh, but he’s looking at the bigger picture here. Sometimes the best career move is knowing when not to fight someone. Harrison just captured her dream of UFC gold, and Johnson worries she might be walking into a buzz saw by chasing an even bigger prize. Johnson compared the level of competition both women have faced throughout their careers.
Nunes built her legacy by beating a murderer’s row of elite fighters. She knocked out Ronda Rousey. She outclassed Miesha Tate, destroyed Cat Zingano, and went to war with Valentina Shevchenko twice. Harrison’s path to the UFC title looks different by comparison. She dominated the PFL for years, but that competition level doesn’t match what Nunes faced in the UFC. Harrison is undoubtedly skilled. Her judo background is world-class, and she’s proven herself as a submission artist.
Johnson’s warning makes sense when fans consider how many great fighters have tarnished their legacies by taking one fight too many.
(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)
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