WMMA star Kayla Harrison is disappointed to learn that UFC featherweight champion Amanda Nunes quit American Top Team because of her.
‘The Lioness’ decided to make some sweeping changes after suffering a shock submission loss to Julianna Pena at UFC 269 in December.
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Nunes was exhausted by the time Pena went to kill
Prior to their rematch in July, Pena quit ATT and formed her own gym, but said that decision was partly because she no longer felt comfortable training with Harrison.
“When Kayla got there and then Yana Kunitskaya, it started to create a weird situation for me because that was my territory,” Nunes said on the MMA Fighting podcast, Trocação Franca.
“And then Kayla started talking. I was kind of, ‘Man, I’m not safe even in my turf.’ I was a bit stuck, even because we share the same coaches.
The PFL star is sad to hear that Nunes felt unsafe at the South Florida facility and says she enjoyed training with one of the best fighters on the planet.
“Look, Amanda’s choices are her choices, I have no idea. She didn’t ask my opinion before doing it [laughs]. Because I would have said not to go,” Harrison told talkSPORT.
“I saw an interview with her after her last fight where she said she didn’t feel safe in her turf or something. I feel like it’s unfortunate for her because, to me, if you want to be the best, you have to train with the best.
@judokayla – instagram
Harrison is definitely one of the best at this point and is posting a perfect 13-0 record
@judokayla – instagram
Nunes and Harrison trained under Mike Brown at ATT
Harrison says her decision to train at ATT was largely because she would have constant access to the woman many consider the greatest fighter of all time.
“I went to ATT. I fought Amanda the second day I was there and again the same thing, I was like I guess I was moving to Florida. I did my suitcases and a month later I lived in Florida and never looked back,” she said.
“It’s because I want to be the best and train with the best. I feel like she has to do what’s best for her and her family and I only wish her good vibes and good things, but I want to fight her, you know?
” It’s not a secret. That’s the biggest compliment I can give him. I put it here [signals the top] and that’s where I want to be.
A fight between Harrison and Nunes is on the back burner, at least for now.
After becoming a free agent earlier this year, Harrison has decided to re-sign with the PFL on a multi-year deal, which means she won’t be fighting Nunes anytime soon.
