Tag: PFL News

Cyborg Says Harrison Is ‘Acting Like Ronda Rousey Did In The Beginning’

Cris Cyborg is not all that impressed with what she has seen from Kayla Harrison so far.

With Harrison looking to test the waters of free agency after a successful run in the PFL and the UFC seemingly uninterested in her, Bellator has become the to…

Cris Cyborg Kayla Harrison

Cris Cyborg is not all that impressed with what she has seen from Kayla Harrison so far.

With Harrison looking to test the waters of free agency after a successful run in the PFL and the UFC seemingly uninterested in her, Bellator has become the top candidate for the Olympian if she decides to sign elsewhere. Of course, the biggest fight for her if that happens is one of the best to ever do it, featherweight champion Cyborg.

However, Cyborg does not seem to be taking this as a serious threat, as she explained in a recent interview. She compared Harrison to another former Olympic judoka, Ronda Rousey, in that she is being outspoken because she wants people to know who she is, even though she has not fought enough to prove her skills.

“I believe Kayla is just doing like Ronda Rousey was doing in the beginning. I was a champion in Strikeforce, and Ronda started talking about me and all that because people didn’t know who she is at that point. So I think that she’s just following the things that Ronda did in the beginning, she’s just in the beginning too,” Cyborg said.

Ronda Rousey
Image Credit: Getty Images

“I don’t think that she’s gonna leave the PFL. If she left the PFL, then she would be welcomed in Bellator and we can make the fight happen. I just feel like for some reason, I don’t think she’s gonna leave there, but she’s searching online. Let’s see what’s gonna happen. It will be a great fight.”

Another option that Cris Cyborg says that she is down for if Kayla Harrison re-signs with the PFL is doing a cross-promoted fight to still see who the better fighter is. This is something Bellator has done before with Rizin, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities.

“Even if she stays in the PFL, we can still make this fight happen, cross-promotion. But I believe this fight can happen like boxing, have the A-side and the B-side. I know she’s been fighting for two years and that’s it, but she has 50,000 followers. She’s touched the fans a lot. So this fight can happen anytime, just make it like boxing, A and B-side. It’d be a great fight,” Cyborg said.

It is worth watching to see where Kayla Harrison ends up. That said, fighting Cris Cyborg would be basically the biggest thing she could do right now, even if it took place in a cross-promoted environment.

Continue Reading Cyborg Says Harrison Is ‘Acting Like Ronda Rousey Did In The Beginning’ at MMA News.

Miesha Tate: Free Agent Kayla Harrison Belongs In The UFC

Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate has suggested sought-after free agent Kayla Harrison “belongs in the UFC.”

Not many have risen to prominence in the sport of mixed martial arts quicker and more dominantly than Harrison. The two-…

Miesha Tate, Kayla Harrison

Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate has suggested sought-after free agent Kayla Harrison “belongs in the UFC.”

Not many have risen to prominence in the sport of mixed martial arts quicker and more dominantly than Harrison. The two-time Olympic gold medalist debuted in MMA two years after her success at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. Since then, she’s built an unblemished 12-0 record that includes five knockouts, five submissions, two world championships, and $2 million in prize money.

After winning the 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament, Harrison returned to defend her crown this year. With first-round finishes against Mariana Morais, Cindy Dandois, and Genah Fabian, the 31-year-old found herself in yet another PFL final. Despite making it out of the opening frame, Taylor Guardado had little response to Harrison’s imposing offense, and fell to a second-round armbar submission.

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Tate Calls For Harrison To “Stir Up” 145 pounds In The UFC

Harrison’s second title crowning marked the final fight on her PFL contract. Talk of her future had been rife throughout the 2021 season and has only picked up since her fourth outing of the year. Appearances at UFC and Bellator events in recent weeks has only increased interest in her future destination.

Now, in an interview with ESPN MMA’s Marc Raimondi, UFC women’s bantamweight contender Miesha Tate has offered her thoughts on where Harrison should be headed. According to “Cupcake,” the Ohio native belongs in the UFC. Tate added that she’d love to see Harrison improve the featherweight division alongside the likes of Felicia Spencer and Norma Dumont.

“If she’s a free agent, she belongs in the UFC. I’m not gonna beat around the bush there. She certainly belongs in the UFC. I’d love to see her come over at 145 and see if she can stir up that division a little bit. I love Felicia Spencer, I love Norma Dumont; Norma’s amazing. Obviously, Amanda’s there. They’re training partners (Nunes & Harrison) so it’s just weird. I don’t know how that’ll play out, but I think she adds a lot of value to that division.”

While her comments earlier in the year, in which she claimed the PFL would have to make a substantial offer to keep her, seemed to suggest she’d be on her way out of the promotion, another season in the surging PFL organization appears to be a real possibility.

Prior to her latest championship victory, Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed his confidence in a deal with the PFL brass being secured. Similarly, Harrison herself suggested she’d choose the security of a PFL deal over the uncertainty of free agency.

With the UFC reportedly unlikely to make a push for her signing, Harrison’s future appears to be with either PFL or Bellator, where a clash with Cris Cyborg could await her.

Do you agree with Miesha Tate? Does Kayla Harrison belong in the UFC?

Continue Reading Miesha Tate: Free Agent Kayla Harrison Belongs In The UFC at MMA News.

Former UFC Champion Fabricio Werdum Undecided On PFL Future

Fabricio Werdum is unsure of his future in mixed martial arts. 

After eight years with the promotion, the UFC and Farbicio Werdum parted ways in 2020.  “Vai Cavalo” chose not to re-sign with the company and instead opted to fight for the …

Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum is unsure of his future in mixed martial arts. 

After eight years with the promotion, the UFC and Farbicio Werdum parted ways in 2020.  “Vai Cavalo” chose not to re-sign with the company and instead opted to fight for the PFL. But before he signs up for another season with the promotion, Werdum wants to revise his contract.

“I need to make a decision still,” Werdum told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I need to speak to my wife first because she wants me to stop (fighting). I’m 44 years old, so she wants me to stop and we’re doing well in Brazil and running a lot of things.”

Werdum partook in one bout under the PFL banner. The fight was originally ruled a TKO loss for the former champion, and was eventually overturned after the State Athletic commission ruled that Werdum’s opponent, Renan Ferriea, tapped while in a triangle choke. The tap prompted Werdum to release the hold, which allowed his opponent to rain down blows.

Fabricio Werdum, Fedor
Fabricio Werdum works a triangle choke on Fedor Emelianenko AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

A Life Outside of Fighting

At 44-years-old, Werdum needs to make sure it’s worth the risk to his health to continue fighting in a cage. At this point in his career, he has too many ventures outside of being punched in the face for a living.

“So I have the meat business, I also have a clothing brand – Werdum Sports – I have the YouTube channel, and I’m an ambassador for PFL here in Brazil,” Werdum said. “So I have a lot of things going on. It needs to be worth it for me to stop everything and go fight again because I would need to go back to the U.S. because my team is in Los Angeles in Kings MMA.

“I can train here and start the training camp, but I would need to leave my family and go back to the U.S. to do the actual camp. I don’t want to think about the money only, I need to have all my focus on winning. So I don’t know if it’ll be worth it now that I’m 44 years old. That needs to be decided. I need to speak to PFL and see if we come to an agreement, so I can fight again.”

With nearly twenty years in the game, one would have to assume that Werdum is nearing the end of his illustrious career. Before his run in the UFC, Werdum was as star in Japan under the PRIDE banner. He later went on to become the first man to beat Fedor Emelienko in over a decade when they clashed in Strikeforce in 2010.

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion Fabricio Werdum Undecided On PFL Future at MMA News.

Bisping: Harrison Is Open To UFC Switch After One More PFL Season

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has revealed what PFL star Kayla Harrison told him about her future while the pair sat together at UFC 268 last weekend.

Despite only making her professional debut in 2018, Harrison has developed int…

Marvin Vettori, Kayla Harrison, Michael Bisping

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has revealed what PFL star Kayla Harrison told him about her future while the pair sat together at UFC 268 last weekend.

Despite only making her professional debut in 2018, Harrison has developed into one of the most sought after stars in mixed martial arts today. Having built a career as a talented judoka, culminating in Olympic gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 games, the Ohio native transition to MMA.

Now 12 fights into her career, Harrison boasts an unblemished record that includes five knockouts and five submissions, two world titles, and two $1 million checks. Her success has come in the surging PFL promotion. In 2019, Harrison won the promotion’s first women’s lightweight tournament. After a season-break due to COVID-19, the 31-year-old looked to experience a second title crowning this year.

After first-round finishes over Mariana Morais, Cindy Dandois, and Genah Fabian, Harrison faced Taylor Guardado at the season finale last month. With a second-round armbar, the dominant lightweight secured her second PFL championship.

Is Harrison targeting A Third PFL Championship?

Harrison’s victory at PFL 10 signaled the final fight on her contract. Throughout the season and ahead of the final, most discussions surrounded what’s next for her as she entered the world of free agency as perhaps the most sought after individual in the sport’s history.

Despite initially suggesting the promotion would have to offer her life-changing money in order to retain her services, the chances of Harrison staying put for at least another year seem higher than ever. After her manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed his confidence in a deal with the PFL brass being completed, Harrison suggested she’d much rather choose the security of a new deal over the uncertainty of free agency.

The latest hint at her future appears to point towards the same sentiment. Harrison recently attended UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden, where she was sat next to the likes of Michael Bisping and middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, “The Count” revealed what Harrison told him about her immediate future.

“I said, ‘Oh, what’s going on? I heard you’re a free agent and you might be coming to the UFC.’ First time I met [her] by the way, nice girl. She said, ‘I don’t know.’ (LAUGHS)… She said, ‘I wanna be the best ever and I recognize that obviously there’s tremendous challenges in the UFC. I wanna, maybe, do another season with PFL, solidify myself there, get better, make some more money and then if I come over to the UFC, I’m ready for the challenge.’ Not that she said she wasn’t ready now.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

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Despite believing her path to greatness doesn’t have to go through the UFC, it’s hard to believe we won’t see Harrison on MMA’s biggest stage at some point in the future. However, her options certainly aren’t limited.

The PFL is undoubtedly set to bring in tougher competition for her to face if she remains with them. Meanwhile, a heated clash with Cris Cyborg could await her over in Bellator, a matchup Harrison’s admitted she hopes comes together at some point.

Do you think Kayla Harrison should stay with the PFL for another season?

Continue Reading Bisping: Harrison Is Open To UFC Switch After One More PFL Season at MMA News.

Harrison Hopes To Fight “Irrelevant” Cyborg Down The Line

Despite describing Cris Cyborg as “irrelevant” to her current journey, PFL star Kayla Harrison has revealed her desire to fight the Bellator champion down the line.

Whilst she may have only debuted in the sport in 2018, over 13 years after Cyborg’s…

Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg

Despite describing Cris Cyborg as “irrelevant” to her current journey, PFL star Kayla Harrison has revealed her desire to fight the Bellator champion down the line.

Whilst she may have only debuted in the sport in 2018, over 13 years after Cyborg’s first outing, Harrison has already grown into one of the most dominant and well-known mixed martial artists in the world. After winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, the judoka transitioned to MMA.

12 fights later and Harrison has built an unblemished record, finished 10 opponents, experienced championship success twice, and secured her status as perhaps combat sports’ most-sought after free agent. After seven fights, all of which took place in the surging Professional Fighters League promotion, Harrison won the 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament.

After a sole appearance for Invicta FC following the cancelation of the 2020 PFL season due to COVID-19, Harrison returned for another title charge this year. With three first-round finishes against Mariana Morais, Cindy Dandois, and Genah fabian, the 31-year-old secured her place in a second consecutive 155-pound final. Four minutes into the second round of her high-stakes clash with Taylor Guardado in the season finale, Harrison locked in a tight armbar submission, ensuring she’d walk away with yet another piece of gold and another lucrative $1 million check.

Will Harrison’s Path To Greatness Go Through Cyborg?

Harrison’s 11th PFL appearance was the final outing of her PFL contract. Given her dominance, many expect the Ohio native to test the waters in other promotions, perhaps the UFC or Bellator MMA. During this year’s season, she’d suggested that the PFL would have to offer her a significantly better contract in order to retain her services for another year.

Whilst a move to the UFC is something many fans want to see, others have called for a Bellator switch, which could see Harrison settle her beef with former UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Cyborg.

Cris Cyborg Scott Coker
Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

The Brazilian is seemingly keen for a clash with the newest MMA sensation. Talk of it first arose when Cyborg hinted she could make 155 pounds following Harrison’s victory over Fabian. In response, the PFL star suggested making weight and being able to beat her are two very different tasks. In a later interview, Cyborg claimed Ronda Rousey was far more dangerous than Harrison is.

In an interview with ESPN MMA prior to her victory at PFL 10 this week, Harrison played a word association game with Marc Raimondi. When Cyborg game up, the judoka described her as “irrelevant,” although clarified she meant to herself rather than MMA as a whole.

“Irrelevant…I mean, of course not to MMA as a whole, she’s a pioneer like, Jesus, I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m just saying like, to me. If it happens, it happens. I’m excited for one day squaring up against her. This whole like, her talking shit about her belts, and me talking shit about my gold medals, and everybody talking, like, we’re gonna find out someday. We’re gonna find out.”

When asked if she holds hope of a potential meeting with Cyborg down the line, Harrison suggested the prospect of facing the veteran is an exciting one, and a clash she hopes comes to fruition.

“I freakin’ hope so… Cris Cyborg, I think, is a pioneer of the sport. I think she’s accomplished a lot. I think she’s had an uphill battle to get where she is. I think she’s a very good fighter, and I think that I wanna fight her someday.”

Despite becoming a free agent, recent quotes have suggested a PFL renewal is very much on the cards for Harrison. Along with her manager Ali Abdelaziz claiming he’s confident a deal with the promotion can be agreed upon, Harrison herself admitted she has a number in mind that would force her to choose the security of a PFL deal over the uncertainty of free agency.

While it remains to be seen where her future lies, it’s clear Harrison isn’t short of options. If she chooses Bellator, it stands to reason she’ll be opposite Cyborg inside the cage sooner rather than later.

Would you like to see Kayla Harrison and Cris Cyborg face each other sometime in the future?

Continue Reading Harrison Hopes To Fight “Irrelevant” Cyborg Down The Line at MMA News.

Cris Cyborg Sends Encouragement to Claressa Shields Following First Loss

Cris Cyborg has sent some encouraging words to PFL’s Claressa Shields.

Current Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is reaching out to a fellow fighter with some praise. Cyborg took to Twitter to send some admiration to PFL fighter Claressa…

Cris Cyborg Claressa Shields

Cris Cyborg has sent some encouraging words to PFL’s Claressa Shields.

Current Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is reaching out to a fellow fighter with some praise. Cyborg took to Twitter to send some admiration to PFL fighter Claressa Shields following her loss last Wednesday night at PFL 10. The loss was the first-ever for Shields who is making the transition over to MMA from boxing.

“Keep your head up @Claressashields I love how you are young and courageous and not afraid to challenge yourself,” Cyborg wrote. “The way you’re inspiring an entire generation of women to not be afraid of greatness is what makes you so powerful!”

Shields had a very successful career in boxing before she decided to make the move over to MMA. This bout against Abigail Montes was only her second MMA bout. It was a close fight but ultimately Shields lost the split decision.

Shields trains at the popular Jackson/Wink MMA gym in Albuquerque, NM. Her training partners there consist of UFC roster fighters such as Holly Holm, Jon Jones, and Michelle Waterson. She has trained with Cyborg in the past. The two have sparred together and Cyborg has been very supportive of her quest in her MMA career. They have exchanged words on social media before.

Shields initially signed a three-year deal with Professional Fighters League, so this MMA thing is not a short-term goal. The plan was to get Shields some experience before pinning her up against top opponents in the actual featherweight season of PFL. Still, despite this setback, she could be an active member of the PFL roster and season for 2022 and be gunning for the one million dollar prize at the end of the year.

Continue Reading Cris Cyborg Sends Encouragement to Claressa Shields Following First Loss at MMA News.