UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison believes her next two fights could define her legacy — and possibly secure her a headline slot at the highly anticipated UFC White House event in 2026.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist is expected to face Amanda Nunes early next year, a clash she confidently predicts will end with her “whooping” the former two-division champ. After that, Harrison says she’ll be ready to defend her title again on the White House lawn as the UFC’s only American champion.
“My perfect world, I fight soon and then I fight again at the White House,” Harrison said on Jorge Masvidal’s Death Row MMA podcast. “I’m gonna whoop Nunes’ a— real quick, and then hopefully fight Valentina if she beats Weili.”
Harrison has her eyes on the UFC 322 co-main event between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili. If Shevchenko wins and moves up to bantamweight, Harrison wants that matchup for the White House card.
Her other dream opponent, Ronda Rousey, has already ruled herself out. Responding to speculation about a comeback, Rousey said on The Lapsed Fan podcast: “I’m not fighting at the White House. Even if offered? I got better s— to do.”
While Rousey’s return appears unlikely, Harrison remains focused on her next test — and the possibility of representing America in one of the most high-profile events in UFC history.
