Kayla Harrison’s ability to claim gold—whether around her neck or waist—remains unmatched. Unlike the Olympics, where athletes wait four years for another chance at glory, MMA offers her an immediate next challenge.
Moments after a commanding submission victory earned her the 135-pound UFC championship in front of a roaring crowd that included President Donald Trump and former boxer Mike Tyson, Harrison wasted no time calling out Amanda Nunes, the former champion who had seemingly retired and is set to be inducted into the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame.
“I see you Amanda! Come on up, Amanda,” Harrison shouted from inside the cage.
Nunes stepped out of retirement, and the two former training partners greeted each other warmly before locking eyes in a fierce staredown—clearly setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.
“This felt huge,” said UFC President Dana White.
Indeed, the moment signaled what many expect to be another blockbuster fight for Harrison, who has built a career filled with super fights across multiple disciplines and promotions, almost always ending with her hand raised in victory.
“Everything I ever wanted is happening,” Harrison said.
Her crowning achievement on Saturday night at UFC 316 at the Prudential Center came when she forced reigning 135-pound champion Julianna Peña to tap out late in the second round, capturing the title in only her third UFC bout.
Harrison’s journey to the top is legendary. She made history by becoming the first American judoka—male or female—to win Olympic gold, defeating Britain’s Gemma Gibbons in the women’s 78-kilogram division at the 2012 London Games. She repeated her Olympic success four years later in Rio de Janeiro and transitioned to MMA in 2018.
At 34, Harrison has twice won $1 million in the Professional Fighters League lightweight division before moving to the UFC last year. With a near-flawless MMA record of 19-1, she earned an immediate shot at the UFC title.
Her path hasn’t been without hardship. Harrison has openly shared her painful past of enduring physical and mental abuse from a former coach during her youth. The trauma led her to consider quitting judo and even thoughts of suicide. Her deep faith helped her persevere. She’s now a vocal advocate for abuse survivors, using her platform to raise awareness and offer hope.
“I trust God,” Harrison said, reflecting on her strength and recovery.
She spoke candidly about the epidemic of child abuse, noting that many victims never speak up. “How do we stop that? By having a conversation. By facing it head-on and putting a face to it.”
That face today is that of an elite MMA champion.
“I don’t want another child to feel alone, dirty, or ashamed,” she said. “There is hope. There’s a shiny gold medal at the end of the tunnel. There’s a UFC belt at the end of the tunnel.”
In the fight that earned her the UFC belt, Harrison dispatched Peña—who had famously upset Nunes for the title in 2021—with ease. Before the bout, Harrison paid tribute to President Trump with a traditional judo bow. After securing the victory, White placed the championship belt around her waist inside the cage and encouraged her to greet the president.
She stepped down from the cage and draped the belt over Trump’s shoulder as he stood to applaud. The two shared a hug, posed for photos, and Harrison marveled at the surreal moment.
“The president of the United States kissed me on the cheek, and Mike Tyson was right there,” she said. “I thought, am I in a movie? What is happening?”
She later expressed interest in visiting the White House, a customary honor for championship athletes.
Asked to compare winning Olympic gold and an MMA title, Harrison declined to choose a favorite, likening it to choosing between children. “I don’t have any favorite children,” she said with a smile.
Harrison, a single mother, takes pride in balancing her demanding career with family life. She jokingly warned her daughter and son not to stay up late watching her fight.
Her personal life has seen its share of tragedy. In late 2019, her mother suffered a stroke and her stepfather passed away months later, leaving her niece and nephew without guardians. Harrison stepped in, eventually adopting both children.
As for a possible Harrison vs. Nunes fight, Harrison laughed, “I’m a mom. The earlier you put me on the card, the better.”
Nunes, who vacated the 135-pound title upon retirement in 2023, is currently not in the UFC’s drug testing pool and must complete at least six months of testing before returning to competition—a minor hurdle that only adds to the anticipation.
“We will definitely see each other again,” Nunes told Harrison in the cage.
As Harrison tapped the championship belt resting on the news conference table, she reflected on its deeper meaning.
“This belt is amazing, but the journey to get here is what matters most,” she said. “My spirit is unbreakable, and my faith is unshakable. I’m proud of who I am.”
