Kayla Harrison Added UFC Gold to an Olympic Championship
Kayla Harrison became UFC women’s bantamweight champion by submitting Julianna Peña on June 7, 2025. The second-round kimura at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, added a major MMA title to a career already distinguished by two Olympic judo gold medals.
The Olympic breakthrough came before MMA
Harrison won gold for the United States at London 2012, becoming the first American Olympic judo champion. She repeated the achievement at Rio de Janeiro 2016 before turning to professional mixed martial arts.
Her official profile also records the 2010 world judo championship and PFL championship tournament victories in 2019 and 2021. Those accomplishments established her competitive background before she joined the UFC.
Two victories opened the championship route
Harrison debuted against former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 in April 2024. She won with a rear-naked choke during the second round, immediately establishing herself against experienced opposition.
A unanimous-decision victory over Ketlen Vieira followed in October. That result positioned Harrison for the Peña challenge, which became her third appearance inside the UFC.
A late-round submission completed the rise
Against Peña at Prudential Center, Harrison established top control and pursued several finishing positions. She eventually switched to a kimura and forced the submission with five seconds remaining in the second round.
The victory made her UFC’s bantamweight champion rather than simply another decorated athlete entering the promotion. Her judo background and earlier MMA achievements were now joined by a completed title-winning performance against the reigning champion.
Sources
- UFC: London and Rio Olympic achievements
- UFC: world judo title, PFL championships and first three UFC results
- UFC: career background before the Peña challenge
- UFC: kimura transition and championship finish
