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Kayla Harrison tried to end the dispute between her agent Ali Abdelaziz and MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
Abdelaziz and Helwani have been feuding for years over a simple disagreement. Back in 2020, the MMA journalist said Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns should fight for a number one contender fight instead of Burns getting the next title shot against former champion Kamaru Usman.
Abdelaziz, the president of Dominance MMA, manages Burns and Usman. The 44-year-old manager felt Helwani was pushing a negative agenda against his fighters, tarnishing their relationship. Kayla Harrison, a two-time PFL champion, was on the journalist’s show The MMA Hour and had this to say about their feud:
“Ariel, I’m telling you right now, it’s pointless. What good does that do? Do you feel better?... It’s not worth it, man. I’m telling you. It’s not worth it…”
Harrison escalated the situation and decided to call Abdelaziz live on Helwani’s show to bury the hatchet. After the first two calls went unanswered, the Dominance MMA manager called back. The Olympic gold medalist had this to say to her manager:
“Don’t be mad at me, ok? Alright, listen. It’s Thanksgiving. We talk about how life is short, right? We talk about how it’s too short, and it’s f***ing brutal and unforgiving, and you never know what’s gonna happen, right? Can you bury the hatchet with Ariel? Can you tell him that real quickly? You’re on the air…”
While Harrison was speaking to Abdelaziz, progress was being made before Helwani chimed in by saying:
“I miss you, Ali. As-salamu alaykum my brother. Give peace a chance. We have to come together… I miss you, my brother. Power to the people.”
Helwani’s comments seemed to rub Abdelaziz the wrong way. Harrison’s phone call with her manager ended shortly after, and the two-time PFL champion claimed that the hatchet would not be buried today.
Watch Kayla Harrison call Ali Abdelaziz on The MMA Hour below:
Kayla Harrison looks to claim her third PFL championship on November 25
Despite unknown health issues throughout the year, Kayla Harrison won all three of her 2022 PFL fights. As a result, the Olympic gold medalist has the opportunity to win her third $1 million prize by beating Larissa Pacheco in the finals.
Harrison has two wins against Pacheco, both by unanimous decision. With that said, the Brazilian has continued to evolve and looked phenomenal in 2022, winning all three fights by first-round KO/TKO. Although the two-time PFL champion is expected to win again, underestimating someone with the power of Pacheco would be a massive mistake.
