UFC titlist Kyle Harrison is lauded by PFL leader following victory
Congrats, Kayla!
In the wee hours of June 8th, Kayla Harrison snatched the UFC 316 women's featherweight title from Julianna Pena in round two, joining an elite club. This victory wasn't just another notch for Harrison, but a major milestone as she now belongs to a small group of athletes who've claimed an Olympic gold medal and a UFC title, alongside Henry Cejudo[1][2].
Once a PFL signee, Donn Davis, co-founder of PFL, offered a heartfelt message in honor of the new champion. He applauded Harrison's hard-earned recognition, praising her years of dominance that often went overlooked by the media, particularly those captivated by the UFC's spotlight[1].
His message, however, contrasted with Davis' accusations earlier on, when he claimed Harrison was dodging a fight with Cris Cyborg following her departure from PFL[3]. remarked on her drooping rankings, despite her dominance across weight classes in PFL.
Scuffle in the PipelineBelal Muhammad drew the attention of Ian Madrigal, a fellow MMA fighter, who issued a challenge[4].
Trash Talk on TapAlex Pereira reacted to Magomed Ankalaev's digs on social media[5].
The Big Boss SpeaksContrary to rumors, Dana White confirms unity with Turk Al-Sheikh over the proposed Canelo - Crawford fight[6].
[1] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: Harrison's latest win has catapulted her up the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, establishing herself as a modern icon in women's MMA.
[2] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: This victory also boosted public recognition, solidifying Harrison's status among the top MMA athletes.
[3] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: Despite the challenges, Harrison's recent win has resulted in increased media coverage and acknowledgment of talented athletes beyond the UFC's marketing machine.
[4] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: Muhammad is expected to respond to Madrigal's invitation for a potential MMA showdown.
[5] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: Pereira is expected to engage provocatively with Ankalaev in response to recent cyber jabs from the Russian fighter.
[6] [ENRICHMENT DATA]: White assures harmony between him and Al-Sheikh regarding upcoming fights, including the much-anticipated Canelo - Crawford matchup.
Bookmakers across the sports industry are likely to offer odds on a possible mixed-martial-arts bout between Belal Muhammad and Ian Madrigal, following the latter's challenge. The recent victory of Kayla Harrison in UFC 316 may encourage interest in other exciting matchups within women's mixed-martial-arts.
