Kayla Harrison's 2026 Plans: A Dream Fight and a Potential Showdown
Kayla Harrison is gearing up for a big year in 2026, with a potential showdown against Amanda Nunes on the horizon. The UFC bantamweight champion recently discussed her future plans and her dream opponent for the highly anticipated UFC White House card.
In June, Harrison made history by winning the UFC bantamweight title, submitting Julianna Peña in the second round at UFC 316. This victory marked a long-awaited moment for the two-time Olympic gold medalist, who is now one step closer to her ultimate goal: a fight with Nunes.
During an appearance on Jorge Masvidal's Death Row podcast, Harrison hinted at an imminent bout with Nunes, stating, 'There's a fight on the horizon... It's not booked yet, but it's going to happen sooner rather than later.' She expressed her desire to fight soon and then grace the UFC White House card, emphasizing her status as the only American champion in the current lineup.
The rivalry between Harrison and Nunes dates back to their time as teammates at American Top Team. Nunes left the gym shortly after Harrison joined, predicting their future rivalry. Initially, there were rumors of Harrison joining the UFC in 2022 to make this fight happen, but Nunes' loss to Julianna Peña led to Harrison re-signing with PFL for another two years.
Now, with the fight finally on the horizon, Harrison is determined to make quick work of Nunes. When asked if Nunes would be her last fight, Harrison confidently replied, 'I'm going to whoop her ass real quick.' She then expressed her ideal scenario, envisioning a U.S.A. vs. Russia match-up between herself and Valentina Shevchenko, despite Shevchenko's Kyrgyz and Peruvian heritage.
Shevchenko, who will defend her flyweight title against Zhang Weili at UFC 322 in New York, has been a topic of discussion for Harrison. She finds Shevchenko's appearance reminiscent of a Russian spy, adding to the intrigue. Additionally, the potential return of Ronda Rousey has sparked interest, as Harrison believes it would be a great addition to the lineup.
Harrison's willingness to fight anyone showcases her determination to dominate the UFC and solidify her place among the all-time greats.
