PFL chairman Donn Davis recently shared his thoughts on Kayla Harrison’s move to the UFC, comparing her situation to notable NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Davis’s comments came during an interview with John McCarthy and Josh Thomson on the WEIGHING IN podcast.
He noted that while some athletes, like James, seek to raise their teams and sport, others, like Durant, pursue personal validation. Davis’s remarks subtly suggested that Harrison’s move to the UFC was more about seeking validation rather than leading and transforming the sport from her existing platform.
The MMA community was taken aback when UFC CEO Dana White announced Harrison’s signing in January. Many had expected Harrison to re-sign with the PFL, especially after the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator and the buzz around a potential super fight between Harrison and Cris Cyborg. Contrary to expectations, Harrison joined the UFC and made her debut in a new weight class, bantamweight, which she had never competed in before.
In his interview, Davis reflected on the different paths athletes take at the peak of their careers, using James and Durant as examples to underline his point. He highlighted the contrasting approaches of these two basketball legends to emphasize the difference between leading a team to greatness and seeking personal achievement. Davis’s analogy implied a critical view of Harrison’s decision, suggesting she might be more like Durant in seeking personal validation rather than being a transformative leader like James.
Harrison had spent her entire professional MMA career with the PFL, with the exception of one fight in Invicta FC. She became a free agent when her contract with the PFL expired, and despite efforts from the PFL to retain her, she chose to move to the UFC. On April 13, Harrison made her UFC debut at the landmark UFC 300 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where she faced former 135-pound champion Holly Holm. Harrison secured a victory by submitting Holm in the second round.
When discussing Harrison’s departure from the PFL, Donn Davis maintained a composed and respectful stance. In an interview with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani back in January, Davis expressed that the PFL chose not to impede Harrison’s career progression by preventing her from signing with the UFC. Davis’s gracious handling of the situation earned him considerable respect within the MMA community.
Kayla Harrison has been open about her ambition to become the greatest female fighter in the world, a goal that places her in the company of other illustrious judokas like Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes. Despite losing a star, Davis’s calm acceptance of Harrison’s decision to join the UFC underscores his understanding of the athletes’ personal and professional journeys.
