Scott Coker: Bellator or UFC has 'gotta be the next step' for Kayla Harrison

Scott Coker doesn’t think sticking around PFL will do much for Kayla Harrison’s legacy, and he’d like to see her switch organizations in 2022.

The Bellator president is pushing for Harrison (12-0), a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and a two-time PFL lightweight champion who is currently a free agent, to pursue loftier challenges. He’s ready to offer them under the Bellator banner.

Harrison’s plans for the future are unknown at this time. Bellator, UFC and PFL all appear to be in the running for her services, but if Harrison intends to break into the conversation of the best female fighters of all time – which she’s said many times is her goal – only two of the promotion’s offer such upside.

Coker said he’s been engaged in discussion with Harrison and her team at Dominance MMA. If she chooses to come to Bellator, a marquee matchup with reigning women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg would be a massive potential legacy-builder.

“We had a really good conversation with her – she’s a sweet girl,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “She is one hell of a fighter and I think really for her to take her career to the next level she’s got to come fight Cyborg or go to the UFC and fight Amanda Nunes or (Julianna) Peña. I think that’s gotta be the next step.

“We’re all still talking. Nothing’s signed. I think she’s still trying to vet the offers and see where she wants to go, but I’m not sure what she’s going to do. For me, it just seems natural that if you want to test yourself, you’re going to have to make a move.”

Coker argues that there are few bigger potential matchups in women’s MMA right now than Harrison vs. Cyborg (25-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) for Bellator gold. Cyborg has lost just once in the past 16 years against Amanda Nunes in their December 2018 title fight, but outside of that she’s mowed through all her opposition.

Harrison has yet to show the type of knockout power on the feet that caused Cyborg’s downfall against Nunes, so the pairing would be nothing short of compelling.

Given who Harrison has fought so far over her 12-fight career, a matchup with the Brazilian champion would be a gigantic step up in competition.

“Cris Cyborg has been doing this for how long?” Coker said. “If you look at her body of work over the past 15 years, nobody has done more in this sport in the cage, fighting, than this girl. So let’s give her the proper credit that she’s due.”