Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison is an American mixed martial artist and two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo who has successfully transitioned into one of the most dominant fighters in women’s MMA. Born in Middletown, Ohio, Harrison overcame significant personal adversity in her youth and channeled her experiences into becoming one of the most decorated American judokas in history. She won gold medals at both the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 78 kg weight class, becoming the first American to win Olympic gold in judo.

After her historic Olympic career, Harrison transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2018, signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Her dominance in the PFL was immediate and overwhelming. She won the PFL women’s lightweight championship and the $1 million prize in both 2019 and 2021, finishing most of her opponents by stoppage and demonstrating that her elite-level judo translated devastatingly well to MMA competition.

Harrison’s success in the PFL led to her signing with the UFC, where she has competed against the best fighters in the world. Her transition to the UFC has been one of the most anticipated moves in women’s MMA, as fans and analysts have been eager to see how her dominant grappling style matches up against UFC-caliber competition. Her powerful throws, relentless pressure, and improving striking have made her a formidable force in the UFC’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

With an estimated net worth of $2 million, Harrison’s wealth comes from her MMA fight purses, PFL championship prize money, Olympic athlete stipends, and endorsement deals. She has become an outspoken advocate for survivors of abuse and uses her platform to inspire others. Her combination of Olympic pedigree and MMA success makes her one of the most accomplished combat sports athletes of her generation.