Natalia Silva and Wang Cong stepping into the UFC 332 main event for a vacant flyweight title, thanks to Valentina Shevchenko’s shoulder and back injuries sidelining her for at least a year, was a massive opportunity. But that last-minute main event switch in Salt Lake City, on a card already called “weak” by many, quickly became a target for some major names in the sport, and now Kayla Harrison is NOT holding back on her thoughts about it.
A Legend’s Laughter and a Questionable Card
Look, UFC 332 was already getting roasted as one of the weakest numbered cards in recent memory. Then the main event got swapped out for Silva vs. Cong, two names many fans hadn’t really connected with yet. Women’s MMA has faced ongoing questions about its star power since Amanda Nunes walked away, so this fight was already under the microscope. That’s exactly where Demetrious Johnson and Israel Adesanya picked it up on their Precision podcast. Adesanya admitted he didn’t even realize the card was being sold as a big deal, pointing out the lack of established storyline for Silva and Cong. Both guys even floated the idea of skipping the event entirely. But it got wild when their producer reminded them that Silva vs. Cong was actually headlining. The two fighters just burst into laughter at the UFC’s decision. Oof.
Harrison Pulls No Punches, Recalls Old Beef
That laughter? It clearly didn’t sit right with Kayla Harrison, who is one of women’s MMA’s biggest stars herself. The UFC women’s bantamweight champion didn’t mince words in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, specifically calling out Johnson for mocking the matchup. Harrison wasn’t just talking about the UFC 332 main event, though; she also brought up some serious history. She said she’s “just kind of over” Johnson’s whole attitude, reminding everyone that he was the one who famously said she shouldn’t fight Amanda Nunes and should “retire” instead. This was after Harrison became the 135-pound champion by beating Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in June 2025. Johnson apparently believed Harrison wouldn’t stand a chance against Nunes. Now, Harrison is taking Johnson to task for “taking shots at up-and-coming female fighters” who are literally just trying to make their mark in this sport.
Building Stars vs. Belittling Them: A Crucial Debate
Harrison isn’t just frustrated; she’s got a whole philosophy on this. She argued that this “mindset of scarcity is detrimental to the growth of the sport.” Seriously, read this quote: “There’s enough room at the table for all of us to eat, and we don’t have to belittle, poke fun at, or put down anyone else to build our own brand. I just don’t believe in that. And especially for a retired fighter.” Talk about dropping a truth bomb! She went on to explain that giving these lesser-known fighters a shot in high-profile matchups is exactly how you make them stars. “Of course, those girls are not stars yet, but you know how you build a star? You put them in the main event and build them. You have to start somewhere, so to talk s**t about them like that is just unnecessary, super unnecessary.” And get this: despite all the pre-fight criticism, UFC 332 actually delivered. The night saw a record-setting 11 knockouts, with nine of those coming in the opening round, which also set a new record. The main event between Cong and Silva? It might not have been an “instant classic,” but it was a respectable back-and-forth fight.
This whole exchange between Harrison and Johnson is way more than just a spat. It’s about the future of how we treat new talent in MMA, especially for women. Harrison’s standing up for the next generation, pushing back against a mentality that could stifle growth. Demetrious Johnson might have laughed, but Kayla Harrison just sparked a conversation that needed to happen, and the ripple effects for women’s MMA could be huge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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