Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and an undefeated MMA fighter, has been one of the most dominant athletes in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Since transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA), Harrison has been a force to be reckoned with, amassing an impressive record and making waves in the sport. However, her relationship with the PFL has been a topic of significant discussion and intrigue. With UFC fans frequently calling for a move to the bigger stage, Harrison’s decisions and her ties to the PFL have led to speculation, rumors, and a complicated dynamic with the promotion’s founder, Donn Davis. Here’s a deep dive into what has unfolded between Kayla Harrison and the PFL, and the story behind her relationship with Davis.
Early MMA Career and Signing with the PFL
Kayla Harrison’s entry into MMA came with a great deal of anticipation. After securing two Olympic gold medals in judo at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games, she was seen as a potential future star in women’s MMA. With an impressive judo background, Harrison had the potential to follow in the footsteps of her friend and mentor, Ronda Rousey, who had transitioned from judo to MMA with great success.
In 2018, Harrison signed with the PFL, a relatively new organization at the time, which offered her an intriguing opportunity. Unlike the UFC, which operates on a fight-by-fight basis with no seasonal structure, the PFL introduced a format more akin to traditional sports leagues. Fighters competed in a regular season, and the top performers moved on to playoffs, with a chance to win the league’s championship and a $1 million prize.
This format allowed Harrison to quickly rise to prominence. The PFL heavily promoted her as their star attraction, building divisions around her and positioning her as the face of the organization. Harrison, fighting in the women’s lightweight division (155 pounds), dominated her competition, showcasing her elite grappling and improving striking skills. Her success in the PFL, where she became a two-time lightweight champion and claimed million-dollar prizes, made her one of the hottest prospects in women’s MMA.
UFC Rumors and Interest
Given her dominance in the PFL, it didn’t take long for fans and media to begin speculating about a potential move to the UFC. After all, the UFC was home to the best competition, particularly in the women’s bantamweight (135 pounds) and featherweight (145 pounds) divisions, where champions like Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg had built legacies. Harrison’s name was frequently mentioned as a potential challenger to Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female MMA fighter of all time. A showdown between Nunes and Harrison could have been a blockbuster fight, potentially even headlining a UFC pay-per-view.
Harrison herself seemed open to the idea of testing her skills in the UFC. In multiple interviews, she expressed a desire to prove that she was the best in the world and mentioned that fighting the best competition was always her ultimate goal. However, there was one significant hurdle: her contract with the PFL.
Tensions Between Kayla Harrison and PFL
As Harrison’s stock continued to rise, the PFL faced growing pressure to keep its star from leaving for the UFC. Harrison’s dominance in the PFL lightweight division was evident, and many believed that she had outgrown the competition in the league. However, the PFL, keen on retaining their marquee fighter, offered Harrison lucrative contracts to stay.
The relationship between Harrison and the PFL became increasingly complicated when the UFC expressed formal interest in signing her after her contract expired at the end of 2021. The UFC, aware of Harrison’s drawing power, saw her as a potential megastar who could challenge Amanda Nunes or bolster the shallow featherweight division.
In response to the UFC’s interest, the PFL did everything in its power to retain Harrison. Founder Donn Davis reportedly made a concerted effort to keep her in the organization, offering a contract that not only included higher pay but also more favorable terms that would ensure Harrison remained one of the highest-paid athletes in MMA.
The UFC’s pursuit of Harrison was also complicated by the weight class issue. Harrison competed at 155 pounds in the PFL, but the UFC did not have a women’s lightweight division. The UFC’s highest weight class for women was featherweight, and Harrison would have needed to cut down to 145 pounds, something she had admitted could be challenging but possible.
Relationship with Donn Davis
Donn Davis, the founder and chairman of the PFL, played a crucial role in Harrison’s decision-making process. Davis, who had invested heavily in promoting Harrison as the face of the PFL, saw her as central to the organization’s strategy of differentiating itself from other MMA promotions. For the PFL, losing Harrison to the UFC would have been a major blow, as she was one of the few fighters in their roster with mainstream recognition and crossover appeal.
Reports suggest that Davis and Harrison developed a close working relationship, with Davis personally involved in contract negotiations to ensure Harrison’s continued presence in the PFL. He understood her value, not just as a fighter, but as a brand ambassador for the league. Davis’s aggressive approach in offering Harrison better terms than what she might receive in the UFC was a testament to how much the PFL wanted to keep her.
Davis was able to convince Harrison to stay with the PFL through a mix of financial incentives and promises of future opportunities. He emphasized the unique aspects of the PFL’s structure, including the chance for Harrison to continue competing in a format where she could win multiple million-dollar prizes. Additionally, Davis reassured Harrison that the PFL would work towards securing high-profile matchups with top-tier fighters, possibly even those outside the organization.
The Outcome: Staying with the PFL
In early 2022, Harrison made the decision to re-sign with the PFL, much to the surprise of some MMA fans and analysts who expected her to jump to the UFC. Her new contract reportedly made her one of the highest-paid female fighters in the world, solidifying her position as the face of the PFL.
While the UFC offered the allure of legacy-defining fights, the PFL offered financial security and the promise of continued dominance. Harrison’s decision to stay reflected her desire to build her own path and her belief that she could achieve greatness on her own terms.
Conclusion: An Evolving Story
The story between Kayla Harrison and the PFL is far from over. Her relationship with Donn Davis and the promotion reflects the broader dynamics of the MMA world, where fighters must balance financial considerations, legacy-building, and personal goals. While fans may still dream of seeing Harrison in the UFC, for now, she remains the face of the PFL, continuing her journey in a promotion that has been a key part of her rise to stardom.
As her career progresses, it remains to be seen whether Harrison will eventually take the leap to the UFC or continue to build her legacy within the PFL. Either way, her story is one of ambition, determination, and the complexities of navigating the world of professional fighting.
***What Happened Between Kayla Harrison and PFL? Story Behind UFC Star’s Relationship With Donn Davis Explained
