UFC 334 could be the final stage of Kayla Harrison's fighting career.
Harrison, who returns to defend her UFC women's bantamweight belt in the co-main event of UFC 334 on Nov. 14, believes the end is near for her in MMA. In fact, if it wasn't for who she'll be fighting next, Harrison might've already hung up the gloves. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and former PFL champion was motivated to gear up for another fight by the idea of sharing the cage with Amanda Nunes – who's considered the greatest of all time in women's MMA.
"Probably, probably," Harrison told Ariel Helwani when asked if she would've retired if the Nunes fight had not come to fruition. "Just to be honest, yeah (I wouldn't have returned)."
Should Harrison defend her belt,
the American doesn't see any appealing names in her division for her to continue fighting. Maybe a fight with Valentina Shevchenko could spark her interest.
"I mean, she's another, arguably another GOAT of the sport," Harrison said. "That's tough to walk (away). I don't know, I think I might be too big for her, but I don't know – she fought Amanda."
For now, Harrison is focused solely on Nunes, not her fighting future. She's not ready to declare that UFC 334 will be her final appearance, but it's hard to see another fight that could top beating Nunes in Madison Square Garden.
"What if they offered me $10 million a fight?" Harrison said. "All I'm saying is that anything is possible. Of course, I'm already satisfied with my career. I can walk away tomorrow and be fine and have peace. This is for me. This is for me. Amanda is a worthy opponent. She brings out the best in me. I think I bring out the best in her, and it is worth my time and my effort to challenge myself against Amanda, and may the best woman win, and I'm excited about it. But I don't have to fight again. I'm good."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Kayla Harrison ponders future beyond Amanda Nunes bout at UFC 334
