Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kayla Harrison

Discover the career path of Kayla Harrison, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kayla Harrison is an American mixed martial artist and former judoka. Notably, she is the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and the first female fighter to win both an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship. She is also a two-time former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. As of November 18, 2025, she held the #2 spot in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings, solidifying her position as a leading figure in women's MMA.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Jimmy Pedro's World Championship

In 1999, Jimmy Pedro (Kayla Harrison's coach) won the World Championship in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

2008: Changed weight classes and won Junior World Championship

In 2008, Harrison changed weight classes and won the Junior World Championship.

2010: Won Gold at World Judo Championships

In 2010, Harrison won the women’s 78 kg gold medal in the World Judo Championships.

2011: Bronze Medal at World Championships

At the 2011 World Championships in Paris, Kayla Harrison placed third, taking the bronze medal after losing to Audrey Tcheuméo of France.

August 2, 2012: Won Olympic Gold Medal in Judo

On August 2, 2012, Kayla Harrison won the Olympic title in the ‍–‍78 kg category, defeating Gemma Gibbons of Britain to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.

2012: Won Gold at Summer Olympics

In 2012, she won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

October 2016: Signed with World Series of Fighting

In October 2016, Harrison, a former training partner of fellow judoka Ronda Rousey, announced that she had signed with World Series of Fighting (WSF).

2016: Won Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Kayla Harrison earned a second Olympic gold medal in the same weight class in Rio, defeating Audrey Tcheuméo of France.

2016: Summer Olympics and Promotion to Rokudan

In 2016, Kayla Harrison won gold medals at the Summer Olympics. Also 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.

June 21, 2018: MMA Debut at PFL 2

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

August 16, 2018: Won fight against Jozette Cotton at PFL 6

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

2018: Defeated Moriel Charneski at PFL 11

In 2018, Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO.

2018: MMA Debut

In 2018, Kayla Harrison made her MMA debut.

May 9, 2019: Defeated Larissa Pacheco at PFL

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

July 11, 2019: Defeated Morgan Frier at PFL 4

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

October 11, 2019: Defeated Bobbi Jo Dalziel at PFL 7

On October 11, 2019, Harrison was originally scheduled to face Genah Fabian at PFL 7, but Fabian was forced to pull out and was replaced by Bobbi Jo Dalziel. Harrison won the fight by an armbar in the first round.

2019: PFL Lightweight World Tournament Win

In 2019, Harrison won the PFL Lightweight World Tournament.

December 31, 2019: Won 2019 Women's Lightweight Championship

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

November 20, 2020: Invicta FC Debut

On November 20, 2020, with the 2020 PFL season cancelled, Harrison signed with the Invicta FC and made her debut in the Featherweight division against Courtney King at Invicta FC 43. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.

December 17, 2020: Titan FC 66 Bout Cancelled

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

2020: PFL Season Cancelled

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

May 6, 2021: Defeated Mariana Morais at PFL 3

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

June 25, 2021: Defeated Cindy Dandois at PFL 6

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

August 19, 2021: Defeated Genah Fabian at PFL 8

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

October 27, 2021: Defeated Taylor Guardado at PFL 10

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

2021: Repeated as PFL Lightweight Champion

In 2021, Harrison successfully repeated as champion in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

March 2022: Signed with Bellator MMA (then Re-signed with PFL)

In March 2022, Kayla Harrison signed a contract with Bellator MMA. However, PFL exercised their matching right, and Harrison re-signed with them.

May 6, 2022: Defeated Marina Mokhnatkina at PFL 3

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

July 1, 2022: Defeated Kaitlin Young at PFL 6

On July 1, 2022, Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd at PFL 6. However, 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.

August 20, 2022: Defeated Martina Jindrová at PFL 9

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

November 25, 2022: Lost to Larissa Pacheco at PFL 10

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

November 24, 2023: Defeated Aspen Ladd at PFL 10

On November 24, 2023, Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd at PFL 10. However, Budd was removed from the fight and was replaced by Aspen Ladd at a catchweight of 150 pounds. Harrison won the fight by unanimous decision.

December 2023: PFL Deal Terminated

In December 2023, the deal that Kayla Harrison had with PFL, which she re-signed in March 2022, was set to be terminated.

January 2024: Signed with the UFC

In January 2024, Kayla Harrison signed with the UFC, defeating former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut.

January 23, 2024: UFC Signs Harrison

On January 23, 2024, Dana White announced that the UFC had signed Kayla Harrison and that she would make her promotional debut, as well as her bantamweight debut, against former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm.

April 13, 2024: Won against Holly Holm at UFC 300

On April 13, 2024, Harrison won the fight against Holm by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round at UFC 300.

October 5, 2024: Won Against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307

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

June 7, 2025: Won UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship at UFC 316

On June 7, 2025, Kayla Harrison competed for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship against Julianna Peña at UFC 316. She won the championship via kimura at the end of the second round, earning a Performance of the Night award. Amanda Nunes entered the octagon to face-off with Harrison.

June 2025: Captured UFC Bantamweight Championship

In June 2025, Kayla Harrison captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship via second-round kimura submission of Julianna Peña.

November 18, 2025: Ranked #2 in UFC Women's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

As of November 18, 2025, Kayla Harrison is ranked #2 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

January 24, 2026: Title Defense Bout Withdrawal Due to Injury

On January 24, 2026, Kayla Harrison was scheduled to defend her title against Amanda Nunes 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.