Kayla Harrison has made her mark in MMA but is still to prove that it can be permanent. The former Olympian has managed to win the PFL women’s lightweight tournament but the competition has been questionable. Hence it was a surprise to many when she was nominated for an ESPY alongside proven fighters like Kamaru Usman, Alexander Volkanowski and Charles Oliveira.
The ESPYs have been one of the biggest awards in sports for almost 3 decades now. The award is given out on the basis of fan votes and helps the winners gain a lot of exposure on a grand stage. MMA was included as a category only in 2019 with the first award going to Daniel Cormier. After being canceled due to the pandemic in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov would go on to win it in 2021. This year would be the first regardless of who wins that the award goes out of AKA.
Hence it was more of a disappointment than a surprise when Kayla Harrison was nominated alongside such tested athletes and to say they trolled her is an understatement. Here are some of the best (or worst based on how you look at it) reactions to the announcement.
Kayla Harrison was Trolled by fans for her ESPY Nomination
None other than Women’s MMA Great, Cris Cyborg had one of the more prominent reactions with a Pinocchio Nose emoji indicating a high concentration of lies
This fan described Kayla’s opponents as “yoga teachers” and with their record he may not be far off.
Beating up yoga teachers in the equivalent of minor league MMA is league of her own?
— Punchface VIP (@thechovanone) June 28, 2022
Others insisted that if any women were to be on the list it should have been Valentina Shevchenko who just had her 7th consecutive title defense
no disrespect but why Kayla? 💀 Shevchenko is triple the fighter she is
— S L A T T (@Nathaniellvxx) June 28, 2022
Memes are always to the point and MMA fans barely miss the mark
Animals in the wrong places are always a perfect format to sum up these scenarios.
When reality disappoints satire comes to the rescue
Show some respect. She tests herself with the best. Her next opponent is a stunning 12-12 record 😃
— ♣️♥️♠️♦️ (@STACKNupYOchips) June 28, 2022
The small minority that voted for Harrison was questioned by this fan
3% of over 6000 voted kayla I can't believe it
— Ry (@RyanSpencerMMA) June 29, 2022
Others thought it to be disrespectful to fighters nominated alonside her more than anything else
Kayla is fighting an opponent with a 12-12 record. Having her on this list is straight up disrespectful
— Combat Sports Insider (@combat_insider) June 29, 2022
While claiming to have the only right answer this fan asked for Kayla to be respectfully taken off the list
Charles Olivera is the only right answer
— Bryan Schecter (@BryanSo63005140) June 28, 2022
Kayla shouldn't even be on the list lol
Who according to you deserves to be named MMA Fighter of the Year?
