Kayla Harrison

USA

Will challenge Pena for title
BantamweightUFC
April 1, 2025
Harrison will take on Julianna Pena in a bantamweight title fight at UFC 316 in New Jersey on June 7.
ANALYSIS
Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in her most recent fight, and she should be the odds-on favorite to claim the title over Pena due to the massive advantage she has from a strength perspective. Harrison only has two appearances at the UFC level, but the fact that she's earning a title shot at this stage suggests she's highly regarded in the bantamweight division.
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Cruises as biggest favorite on card
BantamweightUFC
October 5, 2024
Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Like City.
ANALYSIS
This was a strange fight. Entering as a -1000 favorite, Harrison was expected to dominate from start to finish. Her striking has improved, but it still isn't a strength. Where Kayla makes her living is on the mat. She managed to force Vieira to the mat in both Rounds 1 and 3 and proceeded to unload with everything but the kitchen sink. She's so strong that she is going to dominate any opponent in the 135-pound female division from top position. Vieira was ranked No. 2 in the division entering the evening, and the UFC seems certain to use this result to hand Harrison -- who has all of two UFC appearances under her belt -- a title shot. Kayla is likely to get the winner of the Raquel Pennington v. Julianna Pena co-main event and would project as a massive favorite once again over either woman.
Will face Vieira
BantamweightUFC
August 1, 2024
Harrison will take on Ketlen Vieira in a bantamweight bout at UFC 307 in October, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Harrison will look to pick up her second UFC victory in as many tries after she took care of Holly Holm with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in April. One of the best female fighters in the world, Harrison must face Vieira, who has 11 UFC fights under her belt already.
Dominates in UFC debut
BantamweightUFC
April 13, 2024
Harrison defeated Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:47 of Round 2 at UFC 300 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Holm was a very easy opponent from Harrison from a stylistic standpoint for her UFC debut, but Kayla deserves full marks for making the 136-pound bantamweight limit without issue and going out and dominating. Holly contributed to her woes by foolishly engaging Harrison in a grappling match, but the end result would have almost certainly been the same regardless. Kayla closed with a 51-2 significant strike edge, in addition to connecting on 2-of-5 takedown attempts. With Amanda Nunes retired, Harrison is the odds-on favorite to be UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion sooner rather than later. She would be significantly favored over the likes of Raquel Pennington or Julianna Pena if the those fights ever materialize.
Signs with UFC, debuting in April
BantamweightUFC
January 23, 2024
Harrison will fight Holly Holm at UFC 300 on April 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After accumulating a 16-1 record in the PFL, Harrison will be freed from her contract and move to the UFC. She'll make her debut against Holm, who has won three of her last five bouts. Harrison, a former Olympic judo medalist, has brought a wrestling-heavy approach to MMA that has served the 33-year-old well thus far. Striking has been a work in progress, which could be a dangerous issue against a former kickboxer like Holm, so look for Harrison to try and get this fight to the mat as soon as possible. Also of note is that Harrison has only competed at lightweight (155 pounds) in the PFL, and that's a division the UFC doesn't currently offer. Her Olympic medals came at 172 pounds. She'll now try to make the 135-pound division, so a severe weight cut will be a new dynamic worth monitoring in fight week. Nonetheless, Harrison has opened as an early betting favorite for this fight -- a number that seemingly continues to grow.
Drops title in first-ever MMA loss
BantamweightUFC
November 28, 2022
Harrison lost her PFL Lightweight Championship to Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 47-48) at the 2022 PFL Championships on Friday.
ANALYSIS
It was the first career MMA loss of Harrison's career, and it came as a betting favorite as high as -800 in some sportsbooks. This was a close, back-and-forth affair that seemingly could have gone either way, though the judges ultimately discounted Harrison's six takedowns in favor of the striking of Pacheco. More importantly, it showed that Harrison can be vulnerable during an off night at the office and clouds the potential of future crossover superfights. Pacheco is the only woman on the PFL roster that has truly tested Harrison during her time there, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the two of them meet up for a fourth time in the 2023 regular season and/or finals. Harrison still leads the all-time series 2-1.