1. Kayla Harrison is the first and remains the only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.
39 Facts About Kayla Harrison
1. 2.
Kayla Harrison currently competes in the women's Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
3.
Kayla Harrison was the former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion.
4.
In March 2023, Kayla Harrison was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.
5.
Kayla Harrison began training under coach Daniel Doyle, and won two national championships by the age of 15.
6.
Kayla Harrison won the 2008 Junior World Championship that year, and the following year placed second, becoming the first American to compete in two Junior World Championships finals.
7.
Kayla Harrison had lost to the eventual winner, Audrey Tcheumeo of France, in her semi-final.
8.
Kayla Harrison earned a second Olympic gold medal in the same weight class in 2016 in Rio, defeating Audrey Tcheumeo of France.
9.
In 2015, Kayla Harrison was elected to the United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame and on August 31,2016, following her second Olympic gold medal, the United States Judo Association made a batsugun promotion of Kayla Harrison to rokudan making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded this rank.
10.
Kayla Harrison made her MMA debut at PFL 2 on June 21,2018, against Brittney Elkin in the Women's Lightweight division.
11.
Kayla Harrison won via submission due to an armbar in the first round.
12.
Kayla Harrison won the fight via TKO in the third round.
13.
Kayla Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 in 2018 and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO; after her victory, it appeared that she was not completely content with her own performance.
14.
Kayla Harrison was expected to headline the first event of PFL's second season against Svetlana Khautova on May 9,2019.
15.
Kayla Harrison faced Morgan Frier in the co-main event of PFL 4 on July 11,2019.
16.
Kayla Harrison won the fight by key lock submission in the first round.
17.
Subsequently, Kayla Harrison signed a new long-term contract extension with the PFL.
18.
Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face number 3 ranked Genah Fabian at PFL 7 on October 11,2019, but Fabian was forced to pull out of the bout.
19.
Kayla Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco in rematch for the Women's Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31,2019.
20.
Kayla Harrison was expected to compete in the season 2020 of PFL, but the complete season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
21.
Kayla Harrison won the fight via TKO in the second round.
22.
Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face Jozette Cotton in a rematch on December 17,2020, at Titan FC 66.
23.
Kayla Harrison faced Mariana Morais on May 6,2021, at PFL 3 for the start of the 2021 season.
24.
Kayla Harrison won the bout via TKO in the first round.
25.
Kayla Harrison faced Cindy Dandois on June 25,2021, at PFL 6.
26.
Kayla Harrison won the bout in the first round via an arm bar submission.
27.
Kayla Harrison faced Genah Fabian in the Semifinals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 19,2021, at PFL 8.
28.
Kayla Harrison won the bout in the first round via TKO by way of ground and pound.
29.
Kayla Harrison faced Taylor Guardado in the Finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on October 27,2021, at PFL 10.
30.
Kayla Harrison won the bout via armbar in the second round.
31.
Kayla Harrison faced Marina Mokhnatkina on May 6,2022, at PFL 3.
32.
Kayla Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd on July 1,2022, at PFL 6.
33.
Kayla Harrison won the bout, with the referee stoppage at the 2:35 mark of the first round.
34.
Kayla Harrison faced Martina Jindrova in the Semifinals off the Women's Lightweight tournament on August 20,2022, at PFL 9.
35.
Kayla Harrison won the bout in the first round via arm-triangle choke.
36.
Kayla Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco for a third time in the finals of the Women's Lightweight tournament on November 25,2022, at PFL 10.
37.
Kayla Harrison won the fight against Holm by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
38.
Kayla Harrison faced Ketlen Vieira on October 5,2024 at UFC 307.
39.
Kayla Harrison was scheduled to compete for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship against two-time and current champion Julianna Pena on June 7,2025 at UFC 316.