Kayla Harrison

Kayla Jean Harrison (born July 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka. She currently competes in the women's Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. She is the first female fighter to win an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship. She is also a former two-time Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. As of November 18, 2025, she is #2 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

In judo, Harrison won the women’s 78 kg gold medal in the 2010 World Judo Championships and gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. She remains the only American judoka to have won a gold medal in Judo at the Summer Olympics and one of a rare few to have won a gold medal in the World Judo Championships. In 2016, she was promoted to Rokudan (6th-degree black belt) by the United States Judo Association, becoming the youngest ever to achieve the rank.

After making her MMA debut in 2018, Harrison won the PFL Lightweight World Tournament in 2019 and successfully repeated as champion in 2021. She signed with the UFC in January 2024, defeating former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut. In June 2025, she captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship via second-round kimura submission of Julianna Peña.

Harrison was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in 2012, the United States Judo Federation Hall of Fame in 2015, and the International Sports Hall of Fame in March 2023.

Early life Born in Middletown, Ohio,

She began training under coach Daniel Doyle, and won two national championships by the age of 15. During that period, Doyle was sexually abusing Harrison, who reported it to another judoka, who in turn told Harrison's mother. She subsequently reported this to the police. Doyle was convicted and sentenced to a ten-year prison term.

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. 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 promoted Harrison to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded this rank.

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 division.

Professional Fighters League 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.

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

PFL 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.

Harrison faced Ketlen Vieira on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

UFC Bantamweight Champion Harrison competed for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship against two-time champion (also The Ultimate Fighter 18 Tournament Winner) Julianna Peña on June 7, 2025 at UFC 316. She won the championship via kimura at the end of the second round. This fight earned her a Performance of the Night award. Immediately following the victory, Amanda Nunes entered the octagon to face-off with Harrison.

Harrison was scheduled to defend her title against former two-time champion Amanda Nunes on January 24, 2026 at UFC 324. However, Harrison withdrew from the bout after being diagnosed with herniated discs in her neck, which required surgery. The fight is expected to be rescheduled for a later date. The bout was reportedly linked to September 19, 2026 at UFC 331 but was once again postponed.

Personal life In 2020, Harrison acquired full custody of her niece and nephew, after her stepfather – who had custody of the children at the time – died suddenly. In 2021, Harrison became their legal mother.

Championships and accomplishments Hall of Fame Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame – Class of 2012 New York Athletic Club Hall of Fame – Class of 2013 Middletown High School Athletic Hall of Fame – Class of 2013 United States Judo Federation Hall of Fame – Class of 2015 Ohio Judo Hall of Fame – Class of 2020 International Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 2023

Other Women's Sports Foundation 2012 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2012 The "Unstoppables" Award

Judo U.S. Olympic Committee 2012 O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award Olympic Games 2012 London 2016 Rio de Janeiro U.S. Olympic Trials 2008 Las Vegas World Championships 2010 Tokyo 2011 Paris 2014 Chelyabinsk Pan American Games 2011 Guadalajara 2015 Toronto Pan American Championships 2010 San Salvador 2011 Guadalajara 2013 San José 2015 Edmonton 2016 Havana World Masters 2015 Rabat 2016 Guadalajara IJF Grand Slam 2011 Rio de Janeiro 2011 Tokyo 2012 Paris 2012 Rio de Janeiro 2014 Tyumen 2014 Tokyo 2015 Baku 2015 Tokyo 2016 Paris IJF Grand Prix 2010 Düsseldorf 2010 Rotterdam 2010 Abu Dhabi 2011 Qingdao 2012 Düsseldorf 2014 Havana 2014 Jeju 2015 Düsseldorf 2015 Tbilisi 2015 Budapest 2015 Qingdao 2015 Jeju 2016 Havana 2016 Budapest World Cup 2009 Belo Horizonte 2010 Warsaw 2010 Belo Horizonte 2010 Isla de Margarita 2010 San Salvador 2010 Miami 2010 Tashkent 2010 Birmingham 2011 Miami 2011 Puerto La Cruz 2012 Budapest 2012 Miami Pan American Open 2013 Montevideo 2013 Buenos Aires 2014 San Salvador 2014 Miami European Cup 2012 Prague World Juniors Championships 2008 Bangkok 2009 Paris U.S. Open 2005 Fort Lauderdale 2006 Miami (70 kg) 2006 Miami (Openweight) 2008 Colorado Springs (78 kg) 2008 Colorado Springs (Openweight) 2010 Miami Dallas Invitational Open 2003 Dallas Liberty Bell Judo Classic 2005 Philadelphia Pedro's Judo Challenge 2007 Wakefield Puerto Rico Open 2007 Puerto Rico USA Fall Classic 2007 Coral Springs 2008 Spokane Rendez-Vous Canada 2007 Montreal Kracup Korea Open 2008 Jeju U.S. National Championships 2005 Virginia Beach 2006 Houston 2007 Miami 2008 Virginia Beach 2009 San Diego (78 kg) 2009 San Diego (Openweight) 2011 Orlando 2013 Orlando 2016 Dallas U.S. Junior National Championships USJA Juvenile C Championships 2004 Rosemont 2005 Toledo USJA Winter Championships 2007 Ontario USJA IJF Junior Championships 2007 Indianapolis USJF IJF Junior Championships 2007 Ypsilanti U.S. U20 Championships 2009 Lake Buena Vista U.S. National Junior Olympics 2005 Gwinnett County 2008 Kissimmee Belgian Ladies U20 Open 2007 Arlon Junior U.S. Open 2003 Boca Raton 2004 Fort Lauderdale 2005 Fort Lauderdale 2006 Fort Lauderdale (70 kg) 2006 Fort Lauderdale (Openweight) 2005 London Ohio Judo 2003 Outstanding Junior 2021 PFL Women's Lightweight Championship First female two-time PFL champion Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship (One time, Current) Performance of the Night (One time) & Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Nominee 2025: Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2024: Best Newcomer of the 1HY, Ranked #3 Submission of the Year & Ranked #2 Newcomer of the Year 2025: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year Sports Illustrated 2025 Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports World MMA Awards 2020 Nomination – Female Fighter of the Year 2024 Nomination – Female Fighter of the Year ESPY Awards 2022 Nomination – Best MMA Fighter ESPY Award 2025 Nomination – Best MMA Fighter ESPY Award ESPN 2024 Female Fighter of the Year 2025 Female Fighter of the Mid-Year BodySlam.net 2024 Female Fighter of the Year Good Guy / Bad Guy 2024 Female Fighter of the Year The Score 2024 Female Fighter of the Half-Year 2025 Female Fighter of the Half-Year MMA Sucka 2022 Female Fighter of the Mid-Year Fight Matrix 2018 Female Rookie of the Year 2024 Female Fighter of the Year 2024 Second Team MMA All-Star 2025 #5 Ranked Submission of the Year Uncrowned 2025 #2 Ranked Women's Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Julianna Peña Submission (kimura) UFC 316

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Ketlen Vieira Decision (unanimous) UFC 307

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Holly Holm Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 300

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Aspen Ladd Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Loss

Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2022)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Martina Jindrová Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 9 (2022)

London, England Win

Kaitlin Young TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Marina Mokhnatkina Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2022)

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Taylor Guardado Submission (armbar) PFL 10 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Genah Fabian TKO (punches) PFL 8 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Cindy Dandois Submission (armbar) PFL 6 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Mariana Morais TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Courtney King TKO (punches) Invicta FC 43

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Win

Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2019)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Bobbi Jo Dalziel Submission (armbar) PFL 7 (2019)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Morgan Frier Submission (keylock) PFL 4 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Larissa Pacheco Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Moriel Charneski TKO (punches) PFL 11 (2018)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Jozette Cotton TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2018)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Brittney Elkin Submission (armbar) PFL 2 (2018)

Chicago, Illinois, United States Judo record Total tournament record: 208 wins and 50 losses. Result Rec. Opponent Score Event Division Date Location