Kayla Harrison, the standout UFC champion, boldly claims that UFC 322 might just pave the way for her potential adversary in the White House, especially after her decisive victory over Amanda Nunes.
Harrison is one of the UFC's rising stars, representing the United States as its only current champion. She earned this prestigious title when she submitted Julianna Pena in June, earning the highly coveted women’s bantamweight championship. The UFC has been buzzing with anticipation since former President Donald Trump announced a historic fight event set to take place at the White House during the summer of 2026. Many fighters are eager to be part of this unique celebration, vying for a chance to compete on this monumental card.
Considering her recent success and stirring ambitions, Harrison firmly believes she has a place in this event. "I am absolutely certain I will be on the card at the White House; I am the sole American champion," she quipped. Harrison has been eyeing a rematch with Amanda Nunes since earlier in the year, and she has two potential contenders lined up for her next title defense, should she successfully defeat ‘The Lioness.'
As UFC 322 approaches, scheduled for November 15, Harrison is keenly aware that her plans for the White House event hinge on her upcoming fight with Nunes. The stakes are incredibly high—not just for her career but also for the trajectory of the women’s bantamweight division. Adding another layer of intrigue, Valentina Shevchenko is set to battle Zhang Weili in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden. If Shevchenko retains her flyweight championship, Harrison aims to welcome her back to the 135-pound division for a significant fight at the White House.
"We’re all looking forward to this fight, and it’s definitely going to happen sooner rather than later, right before the White House event," Harrison said during an appearance on Jorge Masvidal’s podcast, Death Row MMA. "Ideally, I fight Nunes soon, win that match, and then get a chance to fight Valentina at the White House. That would be my dream scenario."
Not stopping there, she elaborated on her excitement, saying, "If Valentina wins against Weili, that match becomes a reality. Or there's been a lot of chatter about Ronda Rousey potentially making a comeback, and I would love to challenge her as well."
However, Harrison's hopes for a Rousey return may be wishful thinking since Ronda herself has publicly stated her hesitance. Although there had been whispers about her rekindling her passion for MMA, Rousey has made it clear that she is unlikely to compete at the White House event.
During her recent talk on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey commented, "I am not fighting at the White House. Even though you might think of the excitement around the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul bout and the 'never say never' mentality, I have other priorities. Honestly, I just have better things to do than that."
So, as Harrison gears up for UFC 322, the question lingers—who would you rather see her face at the White House? Should she face Shevchenko or take a crack at Rousey? The buzz is palpable, and the discussion is just heating up. What do you think is the ideal matchup for Harrison at this symbolic venue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
