KAYLA HARRISON

Midwestern Roots

My story is one of perseverance, generosity, and humility.

 

I was born on July 2, 1990, in the Midwest—Middletown, Ohio, to be exact. While I now live in Florida, I am a Middie for life and can still taste my Mimi’s cooking and vividly remember her freezer always being filled with Graeter’s ice cream.

 

My introduction to the world of martial arts is quite simple, and maybe even comical? As a kid, I saw a karate commercial on television and soon after started running around the house and energetically breaking stuff, so my mom put me in judo, a sport she practiced in college as a form of self-defense.

 

Early Judo Journey

Judo is a Japanese martial art practiced by judokas across the world. It took me a long time to become successful in judo. In fact, I didn’t win a match for my first three years. By the time I was in middle school, I was dedicated and disciplined, training twice a day, sometimes even three times a day. This focus and relentlessness helped me to achieve many accolades as a youth, which culminated at the Junior World Championships in 2008. I became only the third American to win it. Building on that momentum, in 2010, I became the fourth American to win the Senior World Championships, and it was especially noteworthy given this was only my second appearance at this highly competitive event, and it was in Japan, the sport’s country of origin.

 

Olympic Glory

During the summer of 2012 in London, I became the first American to achieve the seemingly impossible. I won our country’s first gold medal in judo at the Olympics, defeating hometown hero Gemma Gibbons by two yukos. I was victorious again in 2016, besting Audrey Tcheuméo of France in Rio de Janeiro and earning my second Olympic gold medal. The years spent during my Olympic career will always be some of my fondest memories. The highs, the lows, and, of course, all the things people didn’t see behind the scenes. I'm truly grateful for these experiences because they helped me learn the journey is the reward.

 

From Judo to MMA

After retiring from judo, I transitioned to the new yet familiar world of mixed martial arts, commonly known as MMA. I debuted with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in the 2018 season. The following year, through dogged determination, I competed in and won the regular season playoffs and finals—which translates to four fights—to secure the 2019 Women's Lightweight Championship, conquering Larissa Pacheco. In 2021, I journeyed a similar path, and faced and dominated Taylor Guardado in the finals of the Women's Lightweight Championship, making me a two-time PFL World Champion.

 

UFC Victory

In 2022 at the PFL World Championship, I stepped into the cage to defend my title as a two-time PFL World Champion and go after my third belt in a match with Larissa Pacheco, who I had already defeated on two other occasions…but this time I lost. What is life without failures, disappointments, and setbacks? They’ve all made me stronger and more resilient.

 

That resilience opened the door to the next chapter of my career: signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the most competitive stage in the sport. In 2024, I was deeply honored to be recognized as Women’s Fighter of the Year at the ESPN MMA Awards, a recognition that reflected my relentless pursuit of greatness and set the stage for what was to come.

 

In 2025, I realized a dream of earning “MMA gold” by defeating Julianna Peña to become the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, cementing my place among the best fighters in the world.

 

Purpose Beyond the Cage

​​Still, the battles that have defined me most deeply extend far beyond the cage.

 

As a survivor of sexual abuse by my childhood judo coach, I’ve made it my life’s mission to bring light into what is too often left in the dark. In 2013, I founded the Fearless Foundation to empower survivors through education that encourages victims to speak out and seek help, and through health and wellness programs that build physical and emotional strength and foster confidence and healing. In 2018, I shared my journey in my book Fighting Back, offering both awareness and resources to help protect children and guide survivors on their path to recovery.

 

Motherhood and Mental Health

In recent years, I have made my mental health a top priority, especially as a mom. When I adopted my niece Kyla and nephew Emery in 2020, my life changed forever, filling my days with both responsibility and joy. Creating a safe and nurturing home where they can thrive has been one of my greatest accomplishments, and the love we share has been the greatest gift of all.

 

I have worked incredibly hard to triumph over my past traumas and find deep nourishment and fulfillment in helping and inspiring others. Competing in the UFC has been the most thrilling chapter yet, and becoming the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion reinforced that I belong at the very top of this sport. 

 

Life Today

My life feels full when I’m training with the American Top Team, recharging through prayer and reflection, tending to my emus on the farm, laughing with my kids as we act out Harry Potter scenes, and passing on the joy of judo to little ones at church and in the gym.

 

Thanks for being here and a witness to my journey, and as I always say, “This is my day. This is my purpose. I’m not afraid to win.”

You can follow my life inside and outside the cage at @kaylaharrisonofficial on Instagram.