Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison, born on July second, nineteen ninety, is a distinguished American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka. Currently competing in the women's Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), she holds the title of UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. Harrison made history as the first female fighter to secure both an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination.

In the realm of judo, Harrison's accolades are remarkable. She clinched the women's seventy-eight kilogram gold medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships and went on to win gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Notably, she remains the only American judoka to achieve gold in both the Summer Olympics and the World Judo Championships. In recognition of her skill, she was promoted to Rokudan, or sixth-degree black belt, by the United States Judo Association in two thousand sixteen, becoming the youngest to attain this prestigious rank.

Transitioning to mixed martial arts, Harrison made her debut in two thousand eighteen and quickly rose to prominence by winning the PFL Lightweight World Tournament in two thousand nineteen, successfully defending her title in two thousand twenty-one. In January two thousand twenty-four, she signed with the UFC, making a significant impact by defeating former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut. By June two thousand twenty-five, she captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship with a second-round kimura submission of Julianna Peña.

Harrison's contributions to martial arts have been recognized through her induction into several prestigious halls of fame, including the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in two thousand twelve, the United States Judo Federation Hall of Fame in two thousand fifteen, and the International Sports Hall of Fame in March two thousand twenty-three. As of November eighteenth, two thousand twenty-five, she ranks second in the UFC women's pound-for-pound standings, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the sport.