History of Kayla Harrison in Timeline

Kayla Harrison is an American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka, notably the first and only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. She is a prominent figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), currently competing in the women's Bantamweight division. Harrison previously held the Professional Fighters League lightweight championship. As of October 8, 2024, she is ranked #2 in the UFC women's bantamweight division and #7 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings as of November 5, 2024.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 2, 1990: Kayla Harrison Born

On July 2, 1990, Kayla Jean Harrison was born. She is an American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Jimmy Pedro Won Gold

In 1999, Jimmy Pedro, Kayla Harrison's coach, won gold at the World Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

2008: Changed weight classes and won Junior World Championship

In 2008, Kayla Harrison changed weight classes to the –78 kg division. In 2008, she also won the Junior World Championship.

2010: Won the 2010 World Judo Championships

In 2010, Kayla Harrison won the World Judo Championships.

2010: Won Gold at the 2010 World Championships

In 2010, Kayla Harrison won the gold medal in the –78 kg category at the World Championships, becoming the first American to do so since 1999.

2011: Won Bronze at the 2011 World Championships

At the 2011 World Championships in Paris, Kayla Harrison placed third and took the bronze medal.

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, becoming the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.

2012: Won gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Kayla Harrison won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2012.

2015: Elected to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame

In 2015, Kayla Harrison was elected to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame.

August 31, 2016: Awarded Rokudan

On August 31, 2016, the United States Judo Association made a batsugun promotion of Kayla Harrison to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt), making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded this rank.

October 2016: Signed with World Series of Fighting

In October 2016, Kayla Harrison signed with World Series of Fighting (WSOF) as a commentator and fighter in the women's 145 pounds (66 kg) division.

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: Won gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Kayla Harrison won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2016.

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 and won via submission due to an armbar in the first round.

August 16, 2018: Defeated Jozette Cotton at PFL 6

On August 16, 2018, Kayla Harrison faced Jozette Cotton at PFL 6 and won the fight via TKO in the third round.

2018: Defeated Moriel Charneski at PFL 11

In 2018, Kayla Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO, though she was not completely content with her performance.

May 9, 2019: Defeated Larissa Pacheco at PFL

On May 9, 2019, Kayla Harrison was originally scheduled to fight Svetlana Khautova at PFL, but after Khautova withdrew, Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco, winning by unanimous decision.

July 11, 2019: Defeated Morgan Frier and Signed PFL Contract

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

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

On October 11, 2019, Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face Genah Fabian at PFL 7, but after Fabian withdrew, Harrison fought Bobbi Jo Dalziel, winning by an armbar in the first round.

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

On December 31, 2019, Kayla Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco in a rematch for the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10, winning by unanimous decision to win the 2019 Women's Lightweight Championship.

November 20, 2020: Invicta FC Debut

On November 20, 2020, Kayla Harrison made her Invicta FC debut in the Featherweight division against Courtney King at Invicta FC 43, winning via TKO in the second round.

December 17, 2020: Titan FC 66 Fight Cancelled

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

2020: Acquired Full Custody of Niece and Nephew

In 2020, Kayla Harrison acquired full custody of her niece and nephew after her stepfather died suddenly.

2020: PFL Season Cancelled

In 2020, Kayla Harrison was expected to compete in the PFL season, but it 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, winning 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 and 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, winning the bout in the first round via TKO by way of ground and pound.

October 27, 2021: Won Women's Lightweight Tournament

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

March 2022: Signed with Bellator MMA

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, winning 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, but after Budd pulled out due to injury, Harrison faced Kaitlin Young, winning by referee stoppage in 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, winning 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, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

March 2023: Inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame

In March 2023, Kayla Harrison was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

November 24, 2023: Defeated Aspen Ladd at PFL 10

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

December 2023: PFL Deal Termination

Kayla Harrison's PFL deal was set to be terminated in December 2023.

January 23, 2024: Signed with UFC

On January 23, 2024, Dana White announced that Kayla Harrison had signed with the UFC.

April 13, 2024: UFC Debut

On April 13, 2024, Kayla Harrison made her UFC debut, as well as her bantamweight debut, against Holly Holm at UFC 300, winning by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.