Kayla Harrison taking over title as face of women’s MMA ‘would be an honor’

“The face of women’s MMA,” as a distinction, undoubtedly predates the UFC adding female weight classes, but the notion blew up with the rocket-boosted rise of Ronda Rousey more than a decade ago.

It’s an unofficial, subjective title that’s bounced around in the years since, but there’s been a bit of a void since the 2023 retirement of Amanda Nunes.

Kayla Harrison, with a win over bantamweight champion Julianna Peña on Saturday in the UFC 316 co-main event at Prudential Center, is ready and willing to take up the mantle.

“It would be an honor,” Harrison told The Post this week. “Selfishly, I do this sport because I love it and I want to see how high I can climb. But to be a role model, to be a champion for the sport and for the fans is something that is an honor, and I take it as a responsibility. It’s one I don’t take lightly.