Kayla Harrison, born on July 2, 1990, is an exceptional American professional mixed martial artist and renowned judoka. Recently, she has made headlines by signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier organization in the world of MMA.
Before her entrance into the world of MMA, Harrison made a name for herself in judo, competing in the 78 kg (172 lb) weight category. Her achievements include winning the gold medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships, as well as securing gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Moreover, she showcased her dominance by claiming gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games.
Harrison’s incredible talent and success have garnered recognition beyond her sport. In 2015, she was elected to the prestigious United States Judo Federation Hall Of Fame. Additionally, following her second Olympic gold medal in 2016, the United States Judo Association honored her with a promotion to rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt), making her the youngest recipient of this esteemed rank in the US.
Having trained alongside the legendary Ronda Rousey, Harrison transitioned to MMA and made her debut at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018. She quickly made her mark by defeating Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO on the main card of PFL 11. With a current MMA record of 16 wins and 1 loss, Harrison has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
On January 23, 2024, Dana White, the President of UFC, made a groundbreaking announcement. The UFC has signed Kayla Harrison, and she is set to make her promotional and bantamweight debut on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. However, some fans have expressed doubts about how Harrison will be able to cut down to the 135 lbs weight class, as she is a larger athlete who has been used to fighting at 155 lbs. Additionally, there have been fans who had hoped to see her face Amanda Nunes instead of Holly Holm, considering Holm’s age of 42. Despite these concerns, the anticipation for Harrison’s debut remains high, and her fight against Holm is eagerly awaited by fans and experts alike..
As the world eagerly anticipates her UFC debut, Kayla Harrison’s remarkable journey from the world of judo to becoming a UFC sensation continues to captivate fans and experts alike. With her exceptional skills, determination, and proven track record, Harrison is poised to leave an indelible mark on the sport of MMA.
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