Kayla Jean Harrison [ 4 ] born July 2, is an American professional mixed martial artist and former judoka. She is the first and remains the only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. She was the former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. As of October 8, , she is 2 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings , and as of November 5, , she is 7 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Born in Middletown , Ohio , [ 6 ] Harrison took up judo at the age of six, having been introduced to the sport by her mother, who was a black belt. She graduated from Middletown High School Ohio. She began training under coach Daniel Doyle, and won two national championships by the age of During that period, Doyle was sexually abusing Harrison, who reported it to another judoka, who in turn told Harrison's mother. She subsequently reported this to the police. She could not compete in the Summer Olympics as the United States had not qualified in that division.
She won the Junior World Championship that year, and the following year placed second, becoming the first American to compete in two Junior World Championships finals. Prior to the Summer Olympics in London, Harrison was injured during training, having torn a medial collateral ligament.
Harrison, a former training partner of fellow judoka Ronda Rousey , announced in October that she had signed with World Series of Fighting. While she would initially work as a commentator she also indicated she was contracted to fight, in the women's pounds 66 kg division.
Harrison was on the main card for PFL 11 in and defeated Moriel Charneski via first-round TKO; after her victory, it appeared that she was not completely content with her own performance. After becoming second in the preliminary round standing, Harrison secured a position at the playoffs. She was originally scheduled to face number 3 ranked Genah Fabian at PFL 7 on October 11, , but Fabian was forced to pull out of the bout.
