The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Judo›Kayla Harrison
Sports • Judo

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison is an American judoka and mixed martial artist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kayla Harrison is an American judoka and mixed martial artist. She won Olympic gold medals in the women’s 78 kg judo event at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. She later became a UFC bantamweight champion in 2025.

Early life and judo training

Kayla Harrison was born in Middletown, Ohio, in 1990 and began training in judo as a child. She later developed into one of the most successful American judoka in history.

International judo career

Harrison won the 2010 World Judo Championships in the women’s 78 kg division. She then won consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same weight class at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. These results made her the first and only American judoka to win Olympic gold in judo.

Move to mixed martial arts

Harrison transitioned to professional mixed martial arts in 2018. She won PFL tournament championships in 2019 and 2021. She later signed with the UFC in 2024 and won the UFC women’s bantamweight title in 2025.

Recognition and legacy

Harrison has been recognized for her judo achievements, including her promotion to rokudan (6th dan) by the United States Judo Association in 2016. She is also associated with advocacy work and public speaking related to resilience and survivor support.

Key facts

  • Harrison won gold in the women’s 78 kg judo event at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
  • She is the only American judoka to have won Olympic gold in judo.
  • She won the 2010 World Judo Championships in the women’s 78 kg division.
  • She began competing in professional mixed martial arts in 2018.
  • She won the UFC women’s bantamweight title in 2025.
🍁
Canadian context

Harrison’s Olympic and world-level judo success is relevant to Canadian readers because she has competed in major international events that also feature Canadian athletes, and her career illustrates the pathway from elite amateur judo to professional MMA.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kayla Harrison?
Kayla Harrison is an American judoka and mixed martial artist best known for winning two Olympic judo gold medals and later a UFC championship.
What Olympic medals did Kayla Harrison win?
She won gold medals in the women’s 78 kg judo event at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
What was Kayla Harrison’s biggest judo achievement?
Her major judo achievements include winning the 2010 World Judo Championships and becoming a two-time Olympic champion.
When did Kayla Harrison start MMA?
She began her professional MMA career in 2018.
Has Kayla Harrison won a UFC title?
Yes. She won the UFC women’s bantamweight championship in 2025.

References

  1. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/kayla-harrison
    Supports: Olympic participation and medals
  2. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/kayla-harrison
    Supports: MMA record, UFC title, rank, and career timeline
  3. USA Judo — https://www.usajudo.com/profiles/kayla-harrison
    Supports: Hometown and judo profile
  4. JudoInside — https://judoinside.com/judoka/34028/Kayla_Harrison
    Supports: World title, Olympic titles, and judo results
  5. National Museum of American History — https://americanhistory.si.edu/we-belong-here/kayla-harrison
    Supports: Biography and advocacy context