Kayla Harrison Unapologetic for Confident Nature: ‘I’m Sick of Being Miss Congeniality’

You can forgive Kayla Harrison if she intially comes off as dismissive of some of her opponents. It’s simply the product of a supremely confident nature one might expect from a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Harrison has taken a similar approach to PFL playoff opponent Genah Fabian, who she will face in a 155-pound semifinal matchup at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on Thursday. Harrison took a moment to clarify some comments she made regarding her matchup with Fabian during a media call on Monday.

“It’s nothing personal to Genah at all,” Harrison said. “I respect her as a fighter. I respect her as a person. I think in a different lifetime maybe we would’ve been friends. But I have one job to do. I have to go out and win fights. I have to destroy. I have a goal, I have a dream.

“It’s nothing personal, it’s just business. I think people misconstrue that as arrogance or cockiness. It has nothing to do with Genah. It’s how much I believe in myself … I’m just built different.”

Harrison and Fabian were initially slated to square off in 2019, but the contest was scrapped when Fabian had to withdraw due to a difficult weight cut. The City Kickboxing representative enters the matchup with Harrison on a three-bout winning streak and could have the size and striking skill set to potentially pose some problems.

“Through the years, I feel like we both come a long way,” Harrison said. “Her striking looks really sharp. She looks comfortable, she looks prepared and confident inside the cage. I expect the grappler vs. striker matchup. I think that’s kind of who we are. Let’s not pretend we’re anything other than that. Let’s just go out there and have a fight.”

Nonetheless, Harrison will once again be a massive favorite as she attempts to secure her 11th professional victory. That said, she has no trouble finding motivation before each fight.

“Genah looks super sharp, she looks great. But I’m in the gym every day. I’m getting better every single day. It’s hard to be more motivated than I am,” Harrison said. “I train hard for everybody because everybody’s tough until you beat them. It’s a fight, anything can happen and I plan on making it happen going in my favor. I’m motivated, I’m excited. I think she’s a great opponent. I’m sick of talking about it. That’s the point I’m at. Let’s just go.”

In recent bouts, Harrison has displayed an ability to cut a sharp promo in her pre- and post-fight interviews. The entertainment aspect of the sport is not something she’s courting, however, and she directly shunned a comparison to Conor McGregor on Monday’s call.

Still, she doesn’t apologize for calling things like she sees them. It’s the only way she knows how.

“I think [the entertainment element is] important to fans. I think it’s important to media. It’s not important to me,” Harrison said. “I wouldn’t really call it entertainment. I think at this point I’m kind of sick of being Miss Congeniality. I believe in myself, so why wouldn’t I say that publicly, openly?

“I guess I add a little bit of fanfare to it and a little bit of finesse with my s—t talk. This is who I am. When I’m in the gym with my buddies when I’m training … you can ask Kyoji Horiguchi, everyone thinks he’s this nice quiet guy — all he does is talk s—t. All we do is talk s-t. Why not show that to the world and be that personality that I really am. I think that people respect and can feel authenticity. That’s what I’m gonna do now from now on.”