Kayla Harrison Bringing Unbreakable Spirit to UFC

“My father committed suicide. My sister has struggled with addiction. We’ve dealt with loss after loss after loss. I lost the innocence of my childhood. Nothing in that cage can break me. I’ve already been through the worst of the worst.”

At UFC 300, Kayla Harrison gets the chance she has been awaiting.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist makes her UFC debut later tonight, stepping into the Octagon for a women’s bantamweight bout against Holly Holm.

Kayla Harrison / Courtesy PFL

Ever since the great Amanda Nunes retired, the women’s bantamweight division has been a ship without a captain. Raquel Pennington won the vacant belt in January, defeating Mayra Bueno Silva in a bout that did not add excitement to the division. Julianna Peña remains in the title picture, but she has not fought since losing to Nunes in July of 2022.

Harrison (16-1) started with the PFL in 2018, and she dominated the promotion for five years. If she defeats Holm, then a clear path to the title will open.

“I get out of bed every morning fired up to fight Holly Holm,” said Harrison. “I consider her a legend of the sport and a pioneer. She’s probably the toughest fighter in the division for me. After this fight, a lot more people will know who I am.”

Only 32, Harrison appears to have arrived in the UFC at the right moment. She avenged her sole loss to Larissa Pacheco, a fighter she had already defeated twice, when she finished her PFL run with a victory against Aspen Ladd in November.

“I had a one-year layoff after that loss,” said Harrison. “I took that time to think about what I want and who I am, and I love the challenge and I love the pursuit. When I first started competing in MMA, the goal wasn’t to become famous or transition into WWE. My goal was to become UFC champion. I’m still that girl. I’m still chasing that goal.”

Kayla Harrison in 2012 / UFC

Though that was her first defeat, Harrison is well-versed in loss. As a child, she was sexually abused by her coach, who was convicted and sentenced to prison. That led Harrison on a journey that brought her just outside of Boston, where the Pedro family–Big Jim and his son Jimmy, who is one of the most decorated judo players in American history– helped Harrison rebuild her soul.

“I came to the Pedros at rock bottom,” said Harrison. “I was young and hopeless and very broken. Big Jim was fierce but honest, and with a heart of gold. Jimmy was so positive and motivating. They never gave up on me. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and they helped build me back up. That’s where I strengthened my ability to overcome anything.”

Harrison’s unbreakable spirit will be on full display in the cage tonight, where she looks to make her first UFC appearance one that is victorious.

“People thought that was my first loss [against Pacheco in November of 2022], but it wasn’t,” said Harrison. “I already knew loss outside the cage. My father committed suicide. My sister has struggled with addiction. I lost the innocence of my childhood. I’ve already been through the worst of the worst. Nothing in that cage can break me.”

Holm (15-6, 1 NC) is an exceptional boxer, and she will finish her career as a two-sport Hall of Famer. But, ever since her iconic victory against Ronda Rousey, Holm has a record below .500. Now 42, she is a solid opponent, but there is a reason Harrison enters as the odds favorite.

“It feels a lot like my first World Championships when I was 20,” said Harrison. “I was fairly unknown, it was in Japan–the mecca of judo–and I had to beat the best. Vegas is the fight capital, UFC is the mecca, and I’m fighting a former champion.”

Bold and brave, Harrison is prepared to showcase new levels of brilliance in the UFC.

“This has been the best camp of my life,” said Harrison. “I have this peace I’ve never had before. Standing, on the ground, distance, close–I’m ready for wherever the fight goes.”