Kayla Harrison Threatens to Take Henry Cejudo’s Combat Sports GOAT Title

Kayla Harrison is threatening to take Henry Cejudo’s self-proclaimed title of the greatest combat sports athlete ever.

Harrison made her promotional debut with a second-round submission win over former bantamweight champ Holly Holm at UFC 300 this past April. While Harrison subsequently called out Raquel Pennington, “Rocky” has been rumoured to be booked for a title fight against Julianna Pena at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harrison, who recently admitted that she is at least one more fight removed from a title shot, hopes to fight at UFC 307, as well. The former PFL lightweight champ’s eventual target remains Amanda Nunes, although she wants to win a title first to lure “The Lioness” out of retirement.

“In my perfect world I’d like to fight for the belt, then tell Amanda to get her ass off the couch and we’ll fight for the BMF belt,” Harrison recently told The Schmo. “And I’ll put my bantamweight title on the line at the same time.”

A former two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison believes a title defense over Nunes seals her place as the greatest combat sports artist of all time. Harrison has been threatening to take that spot for a long time from her only competitor, Cejudo. Harrison believes Cejudo will duly do his “push-ups” once she gets the job done.

“You’re damn right I am [looking for GOAT legacy],” Harrison said. “That’s why I got two Olympic gold medals, two PFL world titles. I’m coming for multiple UFC titles. And then what the hell is Henry Cejudo gonna say to me? He’s gonna f—-ing bow down and do his damn push-ups. That’s what he’s gonna do.”

While Harrison has one more Olympic gold than Cejudo, “Triple C” also won and defended UFC titles across two weight classes. However, a two-division championship reign in the UFC doesn’t appear viable for Harrison, who currently weighs around 165 pounds and is unlikely to ever make the cut to flyweight. While the UFC’s featherweight title is currently inactive, Harrison hopes to make it undeniable for the UFC to bring it back with her performances.

“I think I just got to be so good they just can’t ignore me,” she said. “I just gotta keep doing what I’m doing, put one in front of the other and sky’s the limit.”