Kayla Harrison is an American professional mixed martial artist and former Olympic and world champion judoka, currently signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL). 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. She is a 6th-dan black belt in Judo.
Kayla Harrison was born on July 2, 1990, in Middletown, Ohio, United States. She started in judo at the age of six. She became one of the world’s top judokas over the years.
Kayla Harrison is two time Olympics champion, winning the gold at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. She is also the world champion at the 2010 Tokyo World Championships and two times bronze medalist at the 2011 Paris and 2014 Chelyabinsk World Championships. She the gold medals at the 2011 Guadalajara and 2015 Toronto Pan American Games, as well as the 2011 Guadalajara and 2016 Havana Pan American Championships, 2015 Rabat and 2016 Guadalajara World Masters, and dozens more honors.
Kayla Harrison MMA Career
After being one of the most recognized judokas in the world with dozens of awards, Kayla Harrison decided to start in the MMA. So far, her professional MMA record is 15-1-0 (W-L-D).
Kayla Harrison made her professional MMA debut on June 21, 2018, at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 2: 2018 Regular Season. She fought versus Brittney Elkin, winning the clash via armbar submission in the first round.
Kayla Harrison continues fighting in the PFL after her debut.
On August 16, 2018, she defeated Jozette Cotton at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 6: 2018 Regular Season via TKO in the third round.
On December 31, 2018, she registered another professional victory at the Professional Fighters League – 2018 Season PFL Championships. She won her fight versus Moriel Charneski via TKO in the first round.
On May 9, 2019, Kayla Harrison won her fight versus Larissa Pacheco at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 1: 2019 Regular Season via unanimous decision.
On July 11, 2019, she continue fighting at the top level and gaining victories, defeating Morgan Frier at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 4: 2019 Regular Season via keylock submission in the first round.
Kayla Harrison registered an armbar submission on October 11, 2019, versus Bobbi Jo Dalziel at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 7: 2019 Season PFL Playoffs 1, and another unanimous decision victory on December 31, 2019, versus Larissa Pacheco at the Professional Fighters League – 2019 Season PFL Championships. Thus, she won the 2019 Women’s Lightweight Championship.
On November 20, 2020, Kayla Harrison made her debut in the Invicta FC, fighting versus Courtney King at the Invicta FC 43 – King vs. Harrison. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.
On May 6, 2021, Kayla Harrison faced Mariana Morais at the Professional Fighters League – PFL 3: 2021 Regular Season. She started the 2021 season with another victory via TKO in the first round.
On June 25 and August 19, she registered another two victories versus Cindy Dandois and Genah Fabian, via armbar submission and TKO, respectively.
Kayla Harrison 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, winning her second title in the PFL.
On May 6, 2022, she faced Marina Mokhnatkina at the fight of the Professional Fighters League – PFL 3: 2022 Regular Season, winning the match via unanimous decision.
On July 1 and August 20, Kayla Harrison recorded another two victories at the PFL regular season and playoffs, defeating Kaitlin Young and Martina Jindrova, via TKO and arm-triangle choke submission, respectively. Thus, she reached her third PFL final.
On November 25, 2022, she faced Larissa Pacheco at the Professional Fighters League – 2022 Season PFL Championships final. This time, she lost the fight via unanimous decision, thus, finishing second in the season.