At UFC 316, held on June 7, 2025, on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey, Kayla Harrison made historical past as soon as once more, this time contained in the Octagon. Within the co-main occasion, the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist confronted off in opposition to Julianna Peña for the UFC girls’s bantamweight championship. Kayla Harrison showcased her elite grappling abilities, submitting Peña with a kimura within the second spherical to seize the title and cement her standing as some of the dominant crossover athletes in fight sports activities.
Kayla Harrison
However earlier than she was wrapping UFC gold round her waist, Harrison was already a legend on the Olympic stage. In 2012 and 2016, she turned the primary American girl to win Olympic gold in judo, each instances within the 70 kg division. A trailblazer, being the primary American girl to do that feat. After retiring from judo, Harrison transitioned to MMA, the place she rapidly made her mark. She turned a two-time PFL light-weight champion earlier than making her long-awaited transfer to the UFC.
Olympic Medalist and UFC World Champion
Now, with each Olympic gold and a UFC title to her identify, Harrison finds herself fielding the inevitable query: “Which is harder, successful Olympic gold or a UFC title?” Her reply, on the UFC 316 post-fight press convention, is as memorable as her performances:
“That is like choosing a favourite little one. I don’t have any favourite kids. Certainly one of them will get on my nerves greater than the opposite, however I like them each. I can’t reply it. They’re each particular.”
“It feels superb. So much has occurred in a really brief period of time. This belt represents a lot greater than that – the journey to get right here, the girl I’ve turn into. From being 6 years previous on my Mimi’s sofa watching the ’96 Olympic Video games to being right here – I’ve been by means of some [stuff], and I really feel like my spirit is unbreakable and my religion is unshakable. Who I’m as an individual is somebody I’m pleased with. This belt is superb, however the journey is what issues most to me.”
Whether or not it’s the strain of Olympic competitors or the relentless grind of the UFC, Kayla Harrison has confirmed she will deal with each. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, a two-time PFL world champion, and now a UFC world champion as effectively.
