Kayla Harrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kayla Harrison
Harrison at the 2016 Olympics
Born	(1990-07-02) July 2, 1990 (age 34) Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	136 lb (62 kg)
Division	Bantamweight (2024–present) Featherweight (2020, 2023) Lightweight (2018–2022)
Reach	66 in (168 cm)
Style	Judo
Fighting out of	Coconut Creek, Florida
Team	American Top Team (2018–present)
Trainer	Jimmy Pedro
Rank	6th dan black belt in judo
Years active	2018–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	18
Wins	17
By knockout	6
By submission	7
By decision	4
Losses	1
By decision	1
Notable club(s)	NYAC USA Judo National Team FORCE
Medal record Women's judo Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 2012 London ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro ‍–‍78 kg World Championships Gold 2010 Tokyo ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2011 Paris ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2014 Chelyabinsk ‍–‍78 kg Pan American Games Gold 2011 Guadalajara ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2015 Toronto ‍–‍78 kg Pan American Championships Gold 2011 Guadalajara ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2016 Havana ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2015 Edmonton ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2010 San Salvador ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2013 San José ‍–‍70 kg World Masters Gold 2015 Rabat ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2016 Guadalajara ‍–‍78 kg IJF Grand Slam Gold 2012 Rio de Janeiro ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2014 Tokyo ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2015 Tokyo ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2011 Rio de Janeiro ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2011 Tokyo ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2012 Paris ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2014 Tyumen ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2016 Paris ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2015 Baku ‍–‍78 kg IJF Grand Prix Gold 2010 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2011 Qingdao ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2012 Düsseldorf ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2014 Havana ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2015 Düsseldorf ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2015 Tbilisi ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2015 Budapest ‍–‍78 kg Gold 2016 Budapest ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2015 Jeju ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2010 Düsseldorf ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2010 Rotterdam ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2014 Jeju ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2015 Qingdao ‍–‍78 kg Bronze 2016 Havana ‍–‍78 kg World Juniors Championships Gold 2008 Bangkok ‍–‍78 kg Silver 2009 Paris ‍–‍78 kg

Kayla Harrison (born July 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and multiple Olympic gold medalist and world champion judoka. She currently competes in the Women’s Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of April 16, 2024, she is #4 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings, and as of May 7, 2024, she is #14 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

Harrison competed in the 78 kg (172 lb) weight category in judo. She won the 2010 World Judo Championships, gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games.

After the 2016 Olympics, she moved into mixed martial arts and she was the former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. In March 2023, Harrison was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Early life

Born in Middletown, Ohio, Harrison took up judo at the age of six, having been introduced to the sport by her mother, who was a black belt. She graduated from Middletown High School (Ohio).

She began training under coach Daniel Doyle, and won two national championships by the age of 15. ..... She subsequently reported this to the police. Doyle was convicted and sentenced to a ten-year prison term. A month after the abuse was revealed, she moved away from her home in Ohio to Boston to train with Jimmy Pedro and his father.

Career

Judo

Harrison changed weight classes in 2008, from the ‍–‍63 kg division to the ‍–‍78 kg division. She could not compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics as the United States had not qualified in that division. She won the 2008 Junior World Championship that year, and the following year placed second, becoming the first American to compete in two Junior World Championships finals.

Harrison won the gold medal in the ‍–‍78 kg category at the 2010 World Championships, the first American to do so since 1999 (when her coach, Jimmy Pedro, did so in Birmingham, United Kingdom). At the 2011 World Championships in Paris, she placed third taking the bronze medal. Harrison had lost to the eventual winner, Audrey Tcheuméo of France, in her semi-final.

Prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Harrison was injured during training, having torn a medial collateral ligament. On August 2, 2012, she won the Olympic title in the ‍–‍78 kg category, defeating Gemma Gibbons of Britain by two yukos, to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. She earned a second Olympic gold medal in the same weight class in 2016 in Rio, defeating Audrey Tcheuméo of France.

In 2015, Harrison was elected to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame and on August 31, 2016, following her second Olympic gold medal, the United States Judo Association made a batsugun promotion of Harrison to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded this rank.

Television

In 2017, Kayla Harrison made a guest appearance in an episode of the hidden camera comedy show, Impractical Jokers. She participated in one of the show's dares alongside James Murray, who was challenged to try to pin the judo gold medalist at a cocktail party. Although Murray was unsuccessful, the segment gained popularity, and Kayla has stated that she is widely recognized for her appearance on this show.

Mixed martial arts

Harrison, a former training partner of fellow judoka Ronda Rousey, announced in October 2016 that she had signed with World Series of Fighting. While she would initially work as a commentator she also indicated she was contracted to fight, in the women's 145 pounds (66 kg) division.

PFL season 2018

Harrison made her MMA debut at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018, against Brittney Elkin in the Women's Lightweight division. She won via submission due to an armbar in the first round.

For her second professional fight, Harrison faced Jozette Cotton at PFL 6 on August 16, 2018. She won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 in 2018 and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO; after her victory, it appeared that she was not completely content with her own performance.

PFL season 2019

Harrison was expected to headline the first event of PFL's second season against Svetlana Khautova on May 9, 2019. Khautova withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Larissa Pacheco. Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision.

Harrison faced Morgan Frier in the co-main event of PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. She won the fight by key lock submission in the first round. Subsequently, Harrison signed a new long-term contract extension with the PFL.

After becoming second in the preliminary round standing, Harrison secured a position at the playoffs. She was originally scheduled to face number 3 ranked Genah Fabian at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019, but Fabian was forced to pull out of the bout. Fabian was replaced by number 5 Bobbi Jo Dalziel. Harrison would win the fight by an armbar in the first round.

Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco in rematch for the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. After dominating every round with her superior grappling, Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision to win the 2019 Women's Lightweight Championship.

PFL season 2020

Harrison was expected to compete in the season 2020 of PFL, but the complete season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other promotions

With the 2020 PFL season cancelled, Harrison was handed a contract exemption to sign with the Invicta FC and made her debut in the Featherweight division against Courtney King at Invicta FC 43 on November 20, 2020. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Harrison was then expected to compete for Titan FC. She was scheduled to face Jozette Cotton in a rematch on December 17, 2020, at Titan FC 66. The day before the fight, Cotton was hospitalized due to a bad weight cut and the bout was cancelled.

PFL season 2021

Kayla faced Mariana Morais on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3 for the start of the 2021 season. She won the bout via TKO in the first round.

Kayla faced Cindy Dandois on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6. She won the bout in the first round via an arm bar submission.

Kayla faced Genah Fabian in the Semifinals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 19, 2021, at PFL 8. She won the bout in the first round via TKO by way of ground and pound.

Kayla faced Taylor Guardado in the Finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on October 27, 2021, at PFL 10. She won the bout via armbar in the second round.

Being one of the most sought-after free agents in the sport, Harrison ended up signing a contract with Bellator MMA in March of 2022. However, PFL exercised their matching right, and Harrison re-signed – a deal set to be terminated in December of 2023 – with them.

Harrison faced Marina Mokhnatkina on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3. She won the bout via unanimous decision.

Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6. However, a week before the event, Budd pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Kaitlin Young. Harrison won the bout, with the referee stoppage at the 2:35 mark of the first round.

Harrison faced Martina Jindrová in the Semifinals off the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 20, 2022, at PFL 9. She won the bout in the first round via arm-triangle choke.

Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco for a third time in the finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10. In an upset, she lost the fight via unanimous decision.

PFL3 season 2023

After a year hiatus, Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd at PFL 10 on November 24, 2023. However, Budd was removed from the fight that she "refused to fulfill her contractual obligation" and was replaced by Aspen Ladd at a catchweight of 150 pounds. Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On January 23, 2024, Dana White announced that the UFC had signed Harrison and that she would make her promotional debut, as well as her bantamweight debut, against former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. Harrison won the fight against Holm by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Personal life

In 2020, Harrison acquired full custody of her niece Kyla and nephew Emery, after her stepfather – who had custody of the children at the time – died suddenly.

Championships and accomplishments

• Professional Fighters League
  • 2019 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship
  • 2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record

Judo record

Result	Rec.	Opponent	Score	Event	Division	Date	Location
Win	45–7	Audrey Tcheuméo	100–000	2016 Olympic Games	‍–‍78 kg	August 11, 2016	Rio de Janeiro
Win	44–7	Anamari Velenšek	100–000
Win	43–7	Abigél Joó	100–000
Win	42–7	Zhang Zhehui	100–000
Win	41–7	Mayra Aguiar	100–000	2016 Pan American Championships	‍–‍78 kg	April 24, 2016	Havana
Win	40–7	Catherine Roberge	100–000
Win	39–7	Andrymar Alfonzo	100–000
Loss	38–7	Yoon Hyun-ji	000–010	2015 World Championships	‍–‍78 kg	August 28, 2015	Astana
Win	38–6	Mirla Nolberto	100–000
Win	37–6	Mayra Aguiar	100–000s1	2015 Pan American Games	‍–‍78 kg	July 14, 2015	Toronto
Win	36–6	Catherine Roberge	100–000s3
Win	35–6	Mirla Nolberto	100–000
Loss	34–6	Mayra Aguiar	000–000	2015 Pan American Championships	‍–‍78 kg	April 24, 2015	Edmonton
Win	34–5	Catherine Roberge	100–000
Win	33–5	Miriam Gonzalez	101–000
Win	32–5	Yahima Ramirez	000–000	2014 World Championships	‍–‍78 kg	August 29, 2014	Chelyabinsk
Loss	31–5	Mayra Aguiar	001–011
Win	31–4	Anamari Velenšek	100–000
Win	30–4	Wang Szu-chu	101–000
Win	29–4	Catherine Roberge	000–000
Win	28–4	Vanessa Chalá		2013 Pan American Championships	‍–‍70 kg	April 19, 2013	San José
Win	27–4	Alix Renaud-Roy
Win	26–4	Jenifer Ortiz
Loss	25–4	Yuri Alvear
Win	25–3	Elvismar Rodríguez
Win	24–3	Gemma Gibbons	0020–0000	2012 Olympic Games	‍–‍78 kg	August 2, 2012	London
Win	23–3	Mayra Aguiar	1010–0000
Win	22–3	Abigél Joó	1010–0100
Win	21–3	Vera Moskalyuk	1000–0000
Win	20–3	Catherine Roberge	011–001	2011 Pan American Games	‍–‍78 kg	October 27, 2011	Guadalajara
Win	19–3	Yalennis Castillo	002–001
Win	18–3	Mayra Aguiar	001–000
Win	17–3	Marhinde Verkerk	001–000	2011 World Championships	‍–‍78 kg	August 26, 2011	Paris
Loss	16–3	Audrey Tcheuméo	000–001
Win	16–2	Hitomi Ikeda	010–000
Win	15–2	Pürevjargalyn Lkhamdegd	101–000
Win	14–2	Catherine Roberge	001–000
Win	13–2	Mayra Aguiar	000–000	2011 Pan American Championships	‍–‍78 kg	April 1, 2011	Guadalajara
Win	12–2	Yalennis Castillo	000–000
Win	11–2	Nadjeda Gena	102–000
Win	10–2	Anny Cortés	102–000
Win	9–2	Mayra Aguiar	001–000	2010 World Championships	‍–‍78 kg	September 9, 2010	Tokyo
Win	8–2	Maryna Pryshchepa	102–000
Win	7–2	Céline Lebrun	000–001
Win	6–2	Anamari Velenšek	100–000
Win	5–2	Luise Malzahn	003–000
Win	4–2	Mirla Nolberto	100–000	2010 Pan American Championships	‍–‍78 kg	April 9, 2010	San Salvador
Win	3–2	Keivi Pinto	110–000
Loss	2–2	Mayra Aguiar	000–100
Win	2–1	Lorena Briceño	100–000
Loss	1–1	Amy Cotton	000–001	2009 World Championships	‍–‍78 kg	August 26, 2009	Rotterdam
Win	1–0	Samantha Lowe	000–000

See also

In Spanish: Kayla Harrison para niños

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of female mixed martial artists