Kayla Harrison (professional mixed martial artist) is a former world champion at judo. She is a signed fighter to the Professional Fighters League. Her Olympic gold medals are two. She suffered from sexual abuse by her ex-judo coach and is now focusing on fighting.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist kayla Harrison is
Kayla Harrison has been a gold medalist at the Olympics in judo twice. She was a gold medalist in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Harrison made her MMA debut in 2018, and she has won five out of six fights. Her latest win was a Submission victory over a Chicago fighter. Harrison was in good spirits following the bout, which was part the Professional Fighters League card of NBC Sports Network. But despite her victory, she is critical of her performance.
Kayla has a unique history. She was the first American woman to earn a medal in judo at the Olympics 2012 and 2016. She started judo at six years old. Her mother is a black belt so she was able to learn the sport early in her life. Harrison was selected for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, but she did not participate in the Beijing Olympics. Harrison won twice the PFL Women's Lightweight Tournament in 2016 and was a PFL lightweight champ twice.
She signed a contract renewal with the P.F.L.
Harrison's new contract will extend over multiple years, although the PFL is yet to disclose the exact amount. Harrison will compete at the women's lightweight division in 2022, as part of the agreement. Harrison will be able to fight in single bouts against some the biggest names in the sport, in 2023. She'll also be featured as a guest on the PFL’s first payper-view card in 2023.
Harrison is very happy about the PFL’s new deal. Harrison was in negotiations with Bellator for her first superfight. Bellator had been the clear favorite until last week, when the PFL decided to surpass Bellator's offer. Harrison, who beat Taylor Guardado last season in the finals for the PFL women’s title tournament, expressed frustration with the situation to The MMA Hour yesterday, saying that she worried about her opportunity to fight the best in MMA.
She was abused sexually by a Judo coach
Kayla Harrison is one the most well-known judo athletes worldwide, but she was also abused during her childhood. Daniel Doyle, her former judo coach abused Harrison starting at age eight. Doyle pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for molesting Harrison. She eventually settled in Massachusetts to train under Jimmy Pedro, another judo coach. He coached her to three Olympic and one world championship medals.
Kayla Harrison took home a gold medal for judo in the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, she was faced with many obstacles before she achieved this accomplishment. Her childhood judo coach was a serial sex abuser of young girls. This affected her self-confidence and made it feel unworthy and insecure. Thankfully, she was able to turn her feelings of anger and fear into fuel to compete at the Olympics.
She loves the P.F.L.'s win-and-advance system.
Harrison has spent the last several decades at the top of the grappling sport. She believes the sport is more difficult than striking, and she likes trying out new techniques. She hopes that another PFL title will lead to a high-stakes fight with Nunes. She hopes to fight Justino in future.
Harrison is unbeaten since her debut in 2018. Her first victory at the PFL came in an armbar submission. She has won all but two fights since then. Her latest win was a grand prize fight, where she won the $1 million grand prize. The 2020 season is the P.F.L. COVID-19 forced the postponement of the 2020 season. Harrison will now fight in Invicta.
she wants to fight Amanda Nunes or Justino
Kayla Harrison is MMA's most popular free agent. She is a twotime Olympic gold medalist, and a PFL champ. Harrison and Nunes used to train together at American Top Team in the past. In fact, they attended each others' children's birthday parties. Harrison trains with Nunes, and is reportedly thinking about a fight.
Both Harrison & Nunes are currently signed to different promoters. But, they both desire top-level matchups. Therefore, it is possible that they will compete in different weights. Keep in mind that some fighters may have the need to reduce more than they want. In fact nearly every UFC fight has a competitor who isn't able to gain weight. Harrison must demonstrate that she can gain weight at just 145 pounds.