Harrison (19-1) made the comparison on the “Deep Waters” podcast when asked how she would fare against Rousey in her prime. During the reign
Ultimate Fighting Championship the women’s bantamweight titleholder credits Rousey’s contribution to the growth of women’s mixed martial arts and believes she will beat “Rowdy.”
Kayla Harrison doubts Ronda Rousey could submit her, points to two Olympic judo golds ahead of Amanda Nunes fight
Harrison questioned the level of competition Rousey faced during her rise to MMA. Rousey won six UFC title fights.
“We learned how to handle in one of the gyms,” Harrison said. “You think she’s going to armbar me? Now don’t be disrespectful. She did that (so much of women’s MMA), but she dominated women who picked up the gloves in a cardio-kickboxing class three years ago and said, ‘I think I’ll give it a shot.’ She paved the way. I stand on her shoulders and I’m grateful for that.”
Harrison, who has more judo accolades, recalled losing to Rousey twice when she was 15. Rousey won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, while Harrison won gold in 2012 and 2016. “I’ve won every World Cup, every Grand Prix, every Grand Slam,” Harrison added. “I won the world championships twice. I won the world championships and I won three bronze medals and I won the Olympics twice. So of course I thought I could do it, because anything he can do, I can do better.”
Harrison is set to make his first title defense against the former two-division champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 334 November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
