Kayla Harrison Critiques Ronda Rousey's Comeback and Paycheck
Kayla Harrison has openly criticized Ronda Rousey's recent return to MMA, particularly her victory over Gina Carano, suggesting that the real achievement was Rousey's ability to market herself rather than the fight itself. Harrison remarked on Rousey's impressive financial gain from the event, which generated $2.2 million in live-gate revenue, but she does not consider the matchup to be of high caliber.
Rousey made her comeback earlier this year after a lengthy hiatus, winning in just 17 seconds. However, Harrison pointed out that Carano had not competed in nearly 17 years, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the fight's competitiveness. Despite acknowledging Rousey's impact on women's MMA, Harrison remains unconvinced that Rousey's latest win demonstrates her ability to compete at an elite level today.
Harrison's critique extends to the overall quality of Rousey's early opponents, arguing that the landscape of women's MMA has evolved significantly since Rousey's prime. While she respects Rousey's contributions to the sport, Harrison believes that Rousey's past dominance should not be compared to the standards of current fighters. As Harrison prepares for her own fight against Amanda Nunes on November 14, the prospect of a matchup between her and Rousey remains uncertain, with Rousey indicating a desire to step back from the sport.
