Kayla Harrison Fires Back at Ronda Rousey: ‘I’m Chasing Greatness, You’re Chasing Money’

Once again, the tension between Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison has come back into focus.

The issue resurfaced during a recent press event in New York, where Rousey aimed at the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion. The comments sparked plenty of discussion online.

Rousey is set to return to action for the first time in nearly ten years as she headlines Netflix’s debut MMA card.

She’ll be facing Gina Carano on May 16, in what’s being billed as a historic matchup between two trailblazers of the sport.

Rousey has been promoting the fight as one of the biggest moments in women’s MMA history. But Harrison doesn’t quite see it that way and hasn’t been shy about sharing her thoughts.

Kayla Harrison responds to Ronda Rousey’s press conference comments

Harrison and Rousey have always drawn comparisons because of how similar their journeys in combat sports have been.

While ‘Rowdy’ took home an Olympic bronze medal in judo, Harrison picked up two golds, one at Rio de Janeiro and another at Tokyo.

When you add that to what she’s done since moving into MMA, Harrison believes her record now stands above Rousey’s. It’s a point she made clear during a recent chat with Paramount.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone to come in and beat everything I have ever done,” Harrison said.

“That would be hard, I get it. Imagine hating me. I am over here in my backyard feeding chickens. It’s got to be rough.”

Kayla Harrison dismisses Carano comeback fight as a money grab

The 33-year-old also hit back at Rousey, calling her return bout the biggest fight in the sport’s history, dismissing it as nothing more than a money grab for someone who hasn’t fought since 2016.

“This fight is not the greatest fight of all time. It’s between someone who hasn’t fought in 10 years and is coming off two knockout losses and another woman who — another legend, another pioneer — but hasn’t fought in 17 years and is in her forties.

“Don’t call it the greatest fight of all time. I’m chasing greatness. You’re chasing money. We’re different,” she added.

Rousey has indicated that unless there’s a need for a rematch with Carano, this will be her final appearance inside the octagon.

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