Kayla Jean Harrison is an American professional mixed martial artist and former Olympic and world champion judoka, currently signed to the Professional Fighters League. Harrison competed in the 78 kg weight category in judo.
Advertisement
She began training under coach Daniel Doyle and won two national championships by the age of 15.
She changed weight classes in 2008, from the −63 kg division to the 78 kg division. She could not compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics as the United States had not qualified in that division.
In 2015, 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 Harrison to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) making her the youngest person in the US to ever be awarded that rank.
Advertisement
Harrison faced Larissa Pacheco in a rematch for the Women’s Lightweight final at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. After dominating every round with her superior grappling, she won the fight by unanimous decision to win the 2019 Women’s Lightweight Championship.
Harrison was scheduled to face Julia Budd on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6. However, a week before the event, 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.
Kayla Harrison Husband: Is Kayla Harrison Married?
No, Kayla Harrison is currently not married but she is in a relationship with former American professional mixed martial artist Anthony Martin.
Leave a Reply