Kayla Harrison had a rough time in the UFC.
Harrison, who has been the face of the PFL since beginning his mixed martial arts career in 2018, knew a change in promotion would require an adjustment, but unfortunately it was the two-time Olympic gold medalist's first official fight. The match was worse than expected. promotion. Last weekend, she faced some very unruly fans at a fan Q&A for UFC 300, hosted by the UFC.
“The culture is totally different,” Harrison, who will make her promotional debut against Holly Holm at UFC 300, told Ariel Helwani. MMA hour. “I just did my first UFC Q&A last week. … It was an eye-opener. …
“It was a fan Q&A. At one point there was a fan talking to Armand. [Tsarukyan] he said in Russian, and Armand was booed the entire time. We talked about it, we're fine, but the guy basically asked him over and over again — he asked him really inappropriate questions about me. And Armand answered. ”
Harrison said he and his American Top Team teammate Tsarukian helped clear the air afterward, noting that Tsarukian also dealt with a number of very rude fans during the event. Overall, this wasn't the best first exposure to the promotion's fan base, but it was particularly poignant for Harrison.
“I feel like an idiot,” Harrison said. “I was on stage laughing and Megan Olivi said, 'Can you translate it for me?'” and Armand said, “No, that's a stupid question.” ' And the next day I was tagged in all the Russian press with translations of his questions.
“I'm disappointed. That's disrespectful. I'm a two-time Olympic champion, a world champion, a mother, an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, I've written a book, I have a foundation. In that sense, it was rude for someone to ask that question. But more than that, a woman would never be asked, “How many times would you like to have sex with Alex Pereira?” We don't treat men as sexual objects like that. So I was disappointed. ”
He seems to have had more interactions with unhappy UFC fans in recent years, with UFC commentator Jon Anik suggesting earlier this year that he might ultimately be turned away from the UFC due to a toxic fanbase ( Anik would later retract these comments.) Harrison thinks otherwise and said he will do everything he can to change the culture for the better for future fighters.
“At first I was so embarrassed and shocked, but then I thought, 'Fuck it, I'm going to continue to be me, and when the time comes, I'm going to say something about it.' That's wrong. Because I think so,” Harrison said. “I want to help change things in the sports world, not just for me but for future female fighters. And it was International Women's Day. It was frustrating.”
“It's just a different beast. And I think I'm also coming to the realization that this is a different beast. This is a big show, and the fans will either love you or hate you, but It will attract more attention in this area.”
