Kayla Harrison is a force of nature in combat sports, seamlessly transitioning from a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo to a dominant UFC champion.
She has cemented her legacy as one of the greatest female fighters of all time, capturing titles in multiple major organizations.
In this article, you will know Kayla Harrison’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Kayla Harrison’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kayla Jean Harrison |
| Date of Birth | July 2, 1990 |
| Age | 35 |
| Education | High School (GED) / Judo Training |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 135 lbs (61 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2018 |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million – $2 Million (Est.) |
| Career Earnings | Over $3 Million (PFL Prizes & UFC Purses) |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Children | 2 (Adopted Niece & Nephew) |
| Instagram Profile | @judokayla |
| Twitter Profile | @KaylaH |
Early Career
Kayla Harrison began her martial arts journey in Judo at the age of six. She was a prodigy on the mats but faced significant personal hardships early in her life.
Overcoming these challenges, she became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in Judo at the 2012 London Olympics. She repeated this historic feat by winning gold again at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
After achieving everything possible in Judo, Kayla transitioned to mixed martial arts. She made her professional debut in 2018 with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Her grappling pedigree made her an immediate threat, and she quickly rose through the ranks.
She dominated the PFL’s lightweight division, winning the million-dollar tournament twice in 2019 and 2021. Her success in the PFL laid the financial and competitive foundation for her eventual move to the UFC.
Professional Career
Kayla Harrison made her highly anticipated UFC debut at the historic UFC 300 event in April 2024. She silenced doubters by submitting former champion Holly Holm in the second round, proving she could cut down to the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds effectively.
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Her momentum continued through 2024 with a dominant decision victory over contender Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307. In June 2025, Kayla reached the pinnacle of the sport at UFC 316.
She challenged Julianna Peña for the bantamweight title and won via submission in the second round, adding a UFC belt to her impressive trophy case. As of late 2025, she stands atop the division, with superfights against legends like the un-retired Amanda Nunes on the horizon.
Kayla Harrison’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kayla Harrison’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $2 million. Her wealth is a combination of her lucrative PFL tournament winnings, increasing UFC fight purses, and performance bonuses.
Fight Purses
| Event / Date | Opponent | Estimated Payout (Show + Win/Bonus) |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 316 (June 2025) | Julianna Peña | ~$250,000+ (Title Win) |
| UFC 307 (Oct 2024) | Ketlen Vieira | ~$170,000 |
| UFC 300 (Apr 2024) | Holly Holm | ~$150,000+ (Win + Bonus) |
| PFL Finals (2021) | Taylor Guardado | $1,000,000 (Tournament Prize) |
| PFL Finals (2019) | Larissa Pacheco | $1,000,000 (Tournament Prize) |
Career Earnings
| Year | Organization | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UFC | ~$300,000+ |
| 2024 | UFC | ~$320,000 |
| 2023 | PFL | ~$150,000 (One Fight) |
| 2022 | PFL | ~$500,000+ |
| 2021 | PFL | ~$1,000,000+ (Tournament Winner) |
Endorsements
Kayla Harrison has secured several high-profile endorsements throughout her career. During her PFL tenure, she was a key face for Celsius Energy Drink, a partnership that likely continued or transitioned as she maintained her star power.
She also serves as a Global Brand Ambassador for UnitedLex, a legal services company.
Since joining the UFC, she wears the official Venum fight kits, which provide tiered sponsorship pay based on her veteran status and championship tier.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 19-1-0 |
| Wins by Submission | 8 (Includes Armbars, Kimuras, Chokes) |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 6 |
| Wins by Decision | 5 |
| Title Defenses (UFC) | 0 (Won Title June 2025) |
| PFL Championships | 2 (2019, 2021 Lightweight) |
| Olympic Medals | 2 Gold (2012, 2016 Judo) |
FAQs
1. How many Olympic gold medals did Kayla Harrison win?
Harrison won two Olympic gold medals in Judo while representing the United States. She secured her first gold at the 2012 London Olympics and successfully defended her title at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2. Did Harrison adopt her niece and nephew?
Yes, Kayla legally adopted her niece, Kyla, and her nephew, Emery, in 2021. She assumed full custody and became their primary guardian after her stepfather passed away and her mother faced health issues.
3. What weight class does Harrison compete in for the UFC?
She competes in the bantamweight division, which requires a limit of 135 pounds. Harrison successfully transitioned to this lighter weight class for her UFC debut after spending most of her career at lightweight.
4. How much money did Harrison win in the PFL tournaments?
Harrison won the PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship tournament two separate times. Each of these tournament victories in 2019 and 2021 earned her a grand prize of one million dollars, significantly boosting her net worth.
5. Who was the first fighter to defeat Kayla Harrison?
Larissa Pacheco became the first and only fighter to defeat Harrison in professional MMA. Pacheco won via unanimous decision during the 2022 PFL World Championship finals, snapping Harrison’s undefeated streak.
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