Kayla Harrison

Kayla Jean Harrison is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Women's Bantamweight division of the UFC.

Before turning to professional fighting, Harrison built one of the most decorated resumes in the history of American judo. She transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2018, quickly rising through the ranks of the Professional Fighters League, where she became the promotion's dominant lightweight in its season-long tournament format. She trains out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, and credits longtime judo coach Jimmy Pedro as a foundational influence on her development as a competitor.

Harrison's credentials set her apart from nearly any other athlete to enter combat sports: she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, winning at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games in the 78kg division, and became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. She also captured a World Judo Championship title and has been recognized as one of the youngest Americans ever promoted to a senior black belt rank in the sport.

Inside the cage, Harrison is built around elite judo throws, relentless top pressure, and a suffocating ground game. She is comfortable initiating exchanges standing but consistently looks to close distance, secure a dominant position, and hunt for a finish, having collected wins by both knockout and submission using techniques such as the armbar, kimura, and rear-naked choke.

Harrison won the PFL's women's lightweight world championship in both 2019 and 2021, becoming the first woman to claim the tournament title twice. She moved to the UFC in 2024, submitting former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut at UFC 300, and later won the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship by submitting Julianna Pena.

Harrison stands as one of the sport's most credentialed crossover athletes, having translated Olympic gold-medal judo pedigree into championship success across two major MMA promotions. Her blend of world-class grappling fundamentals and finishing instincts has made her one of the defining figures in women's bantamweight and lightweight competition.