Olympic gold-medalist judoka Kayla Harrison is set to make her highly anticipated debut in the UFC as she gears up to face former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm at the upcoming UFC 300 event in Las Vegas on April 13.
At 33 years old, Harrison boasts an impressive legacy in judo, holding a 6th dan black belt. Recognized as one of the greatest female combat sports athletes in history, she clinched gold medals at both the London Olympics in 2012 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Breaking News: UFC has signed Kayla Harrison!#UFC300 Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison pic.twitter.com/jQeLItwQmO
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2024
Her remarkable career also includes victories at the world championships in Tokyo in 2010, the Pan American Games in 2011 and 2015, and the World Masters in 2015 and 2016.
Transitioning from judo to mixed martial arts, Harrison has compiled an outstanding 16-1 record. Her only setback came as a surprise in November 2022 when she faced Larissa Pacheco. Apart from a single bout for the Invicta promotion, Harrison has exclusively competed for the PFL since her MMA debut in June 2018.
The announcement of her UFC signing and debut was made by Dana White, who described her as the only person in US history to achieve back-to-back Olympic gold medals in judo.
White highlighted Harrison’s impressive record of 16-1, featuring 12 finishes, emphasizing her formidable takedowns and ground-and-pound skills. Notably, this bout will mark Harrison’s first appearance in the bantamweight division.
The UFC 300 card, touted by Dana White as one of the organization’s biggest events, adds significant anticipation to Harrison’s debut. The clash with former champion Holly Holm promises to be a highlight as fans eagerly await this monumental showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
