Kayla Harrison steps into the spotlight at UFC 316 with more than a title on the line—she’s carrying a legacy built on discipline, passion, and history. Her transition from Olympic-level judo to elite MMA has been one of the sport’s most compelling evolutions.
Harrison first made waves with a dominant performance at UFC 300, defeating Holly Holm with clinical precision. She followed it up with a commanding victory over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, earning herself a shot at bantamweight gold.
But her journey began long before the Octagon. “I believe in love at first sight, because that’s what judo was for me,” Harrison recalled in a recent interview. After watching a karate ad on TV at age six, she was introduced to judo by her mother—and never looked back. By 18, she had won the junior world title in Thailand. By 26, she’d claimed two Olympic gold medals in London and Rio, becoming a household name.
“The Smithsonian has my black belt on display. That still blows my mind,” Harrison said. “But it reminds me: no matter how impossible something seems, if you commit to it, you can do it.”
Now, Harrison faces her biggest MMA challenge yet: Julianna Peña, reigning bantamweight champion and a gritty veteran known for her toughness and cardio. The two will clash at UFC 316, where Harrison aims to become just the second athlete to hold both Olympic gold and a UFC title.
With oddsmakers leaning toward the former judoka, anticipation for this matchup is sky-high. A win would not only make history but confirm that Harrison’s transition to MMA was no fluke—it was destiny.
