Kayla Harrison fulfilled her promise to kiss UFC President Dana White on the head after achieving her goal of becoming a world champion in the organization.
The highly acclaimed two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion achieved this milestone at UFC 316. She secured a victory via submission over Julianna Pena in the co-main event. Despite concerns about her challenging weight cut, she successfully made the 135lb limit and delivered an exceptional performance.
After her dominant win, she celebrated inside the octagon with Dana White as he presented her with the championship belt. Afterwards, she also met with former President Donald Trump and his family cageside, posing for photos. Harrison expressed her strong patriotism, stating she is a “big America fan,” and felt honored to meet a former President.
Kayla Harrison Follows Through on Dana White Kiss Promise After UFC 316 Victory
Immediately following her submission victory over Julianna Pena, Kayla Harrison was visibly thrilled to celebrate her achievement. She embraced UFC President Dana White, and it appears the boss received the promised gesture.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, she recounted the moment: “After the fight, first I’m like ‘Dana’s wrapping the belt around my waist’,” she said, adding, “Then I’m like giving Dana a kiss on his bald head because I said I would so I did.”
This gesture was anticipated, as she had previously stated her intention to kiss White`s head during an emotional interview with Mike Heck of MMAFighting before the fight. At the time, she had emphasized the importance of “daring to dream big.”
She stated, “I know that I’ve put in the work, I know that I have the best team, I have the best game plan, I’m prepared, I’m ready and that is going to be the fruit of my labor.”
Describing her anticipation for the victory moment, she added, “To feel those feelings, to feel the weight of the UFC belt go around my waist, to probably give Dana a big old kiss on his bald head and just hug my family… yeah, I can’t wait for that moment.”
Kayla Harrison Expresses Interest in White House Visit After Title Win
As a decorated Olympian who has represented the U.S. on the global stage, Kayla Harrison`s commitment to her country is well-known. She expressed feeling honored to meet the former President at cageside and pose for photos with him.
Harrison also mentioned the possibility of visiting the White House, a gesture that has sometimes been met with mixed reactions from athletes in the past. She recounted meeting the former President: “So I’m walking out and then the President of the United States is giving me a kiss on the cheek,” she recalled.
She described her surprise at the series of events: “I was like ‘holy s—, and then Mike Tyson is right there? I was like ‘am I in a movie right now? What’s happening?’” She reiterated the honor of the meeting, stating, “Obviously, always an honor [to meet the President], I’m a big America fan, big fan of our country.”
She concluded by saying, “We live in the greatest place in the world and I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to represent it on the biggest stage in the world and now again tonight. Representing Team USA in front of our leader is an honor, big time. I think I might have to go check out his house or something, that’s what I heard.”
Percy Harlow