PFL founder Donn Davis isn’t letting up with his theories on why Kayla Harrison left his promotion to join the UFC.
Harrison’s time competing in the SmartCage, wherein she collected two titles at 155 pounds, came to an end following a bounce-back win over Aspen Ladd at last year’s championship event.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo completed a long-discussed switch to the UFC, shocking many by committing to a bantamweight future.
Debuting this past April, the American Top Team standout made the most of the major UFC 300 stage by dominantly submitting former champion Holly Holm to likely put her one victory away from a shot at the gold.
But while Harrison has the chance to achieve that this weekend at UFC 307 when she shares the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira, her decision to join MMA’s leading promotion is still being scrutinized.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that’s by her ex-employer…
Donn Davis: Kayla Harrison Left PFL For UFC Because Of Need For ‘Validation’
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s MMA Today show with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban, Davis further addresses Harrison’s decision to continue her career away from the PFL.
He once again offered a negative take on the reasons behind Harrison’s departure, claiming she “ran” from another fight with Larissa Pacheco and long-awaited showdown with Cris Cyborg.
Davis also reiterated his belief that Harrison was seeking ‘validation’ that she shouldn’t need by competing under the UFC banner.
“We brought Kayla in from the Olympics, developed her into an 18-1 star, two-time champion, and one of the greatest women — top five in the sport today,” Davis said. “Nothing but pride for that and nothing but respect for Kayla. As a competitor, to build the company, I want every great fighter here.
“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t keep Kayla here for what I think are the two biggest fights of her legacy and her career: avenging Pacheco and winning the championship and beating Cyborg, who is the greatest ever,” Davis continued. “I don’t like that she ran from those. I don’t like that she ran to a brand to validate herself. I think so highly of Kayla Harrison, she doesn’t need a brand to validate her. … So that disappointed me.”
Regardless, Harrison is now forging a path to greatness in new surroundings. And having already achieved title glory in the SmartCage twice, the Ohio native is now looking to repeat the feat inside the Octagon and establish herself as among the UFC’s all-time greats.
The next step in that journey comes opposite Vieira this Saturday night in Salt Lake City, where a win is expected to book her spot opposite the bantamweight champion next time out.
