Kayla Harrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kayla Harrison
Harrison at the 2016 Olympics
Born	Kayla Jean Harrison (1990-07-02) July 2, 1990 (age 34) Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	135 lb (61 kg)
Division	Bantamweight (2024–present) Featherweight (2020, 2023) Lightweight (2018–2022)
Reach	66 in (168 cm)
Style	Judo
Fighting out of	Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
Team	American Top Team (2018–present)
Trainer	Jimmy Pedro
Years active	2018–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	19
Wins	18
By knockout	6
By submission	7
By decision	5
Losses	1
By decision	1
Notable club(s)	NYAC USA Judo National Team FORCE
Kayla Harrison Personal information Born {{#property:P569}} Died Not recognized as a date. Years must have 4 digits (use leading zeros for years < 1000). (aged Error: Need valid year, month, day) Occupation Judoka Sport Sport Judo Rank      6th dan black belt Achievements and titles World finals (2010) Regional finals (2011, 2016) Olympic finals (2012, 2016) 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 Jean Harrison (born July 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka. She is famous for being the first and only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. Currently, she competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the women's bantamweight division. Before joining the UFC, she was a champion in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

As of October 2024, Kayla is ranked highly in the UFC women's bantamweight division. She is also recognized among the top female fighters across all weight classes. Harrison won the World Judo Championships in 2010. She also earned gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. In March 2023, she was honored by being inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Judo Journey

Kayla Harrison was born in Middletown, Ohio. She started learning judo when she was just six years old. Her mother, who was a black belt in judo, introduced her to the sport. Kayla quickly showed great talent and won two national championships by the time she was 15.

To continue improving her judo skills, Kayla moved from Ohio to Boston. There, she began training with famous coach Jimmy Pedro and his father. This move helped her become an even stronger judoka. She graduated from Middletown High School (Ohio).

Kayla's Amazing Career

Judo Achievements

In 2008, Kayla changed her weight class to the 78 kg division. She couldn't compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics because the U.S. team didn't have a spot in her new division. However, that same year, she won the Junior World Championship. The next year, she placed second, becoming the first American to reach two Junior World Championship finals.

Kayla won a gold medal at the 2010 World Championships. This was a big deal because no American had won gold in judo since 1999. In 2011, she earned a bronze medal at the World Championships in Paris.

Before the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Kayla got an injury. But she didn't let it stop her. On August 2, 2012, she made history by winning the Olympic gold medal in the 78 kg category. She was the first American to ever win an Olympic judo gold. She repeated this amazing feat in 2016 in Rio, winning her second Olympic gold medal.

In 2015, Kayla was added to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame. After her second Olympic gold, the United States Judo Association promoted her to a 6th Degree Black Belt. This made her the youngest person in the U.S. to achieve such a high rank.

Mixed Martial Arts Journey

After her successful judo career, Kayla decided to try Mixed martial arts. In October 2016, she signed with World Series of Fighting. She started as a commentator but soon began to fight in the 145 lbs division.

PFL Seasons and Championships

Kayla made her MMA debut at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018. She won her first fight by submission in the first round. She continued to win her next fights in the Professional Fighters League.

In 2019, Kayla faced Larissa Pacheco and won by decision. She then won another fight by submission. After these wins, she signed a new long-term contract with the PFL. Kayla went on to win the 2019 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship by defeating Larissa Pacheco again in the final.

The 2020 PFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kayla still fought in other promotions during this time. She won a fight in Invicta FC in November 2020.

Kayla returned to the PFL for the 2021 season. She won all her fights, including the semifinals. She then won the 2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament by submission.

In 2022, Kayla continued her winning streak in the PFL. She won her first two fights by decision and TKO. She also won her semifinal match by submission. However, in the final of the 2022 PFL Women's Lightweight tournament, she lost to Larissa Pacheco. This was her first professional MMA loss.

After a break, Kayla returned to fighting in November 2023. She won her fight against Aspen Ladd by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Debut

On January 23, 2024, it was announced that Kayla Harrison had signed with the UFC. She made her UFC debut and her bantamweight debut on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. She faced former UFC champion Holly Holm. Kayla won the fight by submission in the second round.

On October 5, 2024, Kayla fought Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307. She won this fight by unanimous decision, continuing her success in the UFC.

Personal Life

In 2020, Kayla Harrison took on a new role in her personal life. She gained full custody of her niece and nephew. This happened after her stepfather, who had been caring for the children, passed away suddenly.

Championships and Awards

• Professional Fighters League
  • 2019 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship
  • 2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Honors Awards
    • 2024: Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Nominee vs. Holly Holm & Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Nominee vs. Holly Holm
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2024: Best Newcomer of the 1HY, Ranked #3 Submission of the Year vs. Holly Holm & Ranked #2 Newcomer of the Year

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Judo Record

Total tournament record: 208 wins and 50 losses.

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

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