Harrison (19-1) made the comparison on the “Deep Waters” podcast when asked how she would fare against Rousey in her prime. While the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight titleholder acknowledges Rousey’s contribution to the growth of women’s mixed martial arts, she believes she would beat “Rowdy.”
Kayla Harrison doubts Ronda Rousey could submit her, cites two Olympic judo gold medals ahead of Amanda Nunes fight
Harrison questioned the level of competition Rousey faced during her rise in MMA. Rousey won six UFC title fights.
“We learned the armbar at the same gym together,” Harrison said. “You think she's going to armbar me? Don't be disrespectful now. She did [so much for women’s MMA], but dominating women who picked up gloves three years ago at a cardio-kickboxing class and said, ‘I think I'm going to try this.’ She paved the way. I'm standing on her shoulders, and for that, I am grateful.”
Harrison, who has more judo accolades, recalled losing twice to Rousey when she was 15. Rousey won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008, while Harrison won gold in 2012 and 2016. “I have won every single world cup, every single grand prix, every single grand slam,” Harrison added. “I won the world masters twice. I won the world championships and took three bronze medals and I won the Olympics twice. So, of course I thought I could do it because anything she can do, I can do better.”
Harrison is scheduled to make her first title defense against former two-division champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.