Kayla Harrison has confessed that her successful multi-million dollar career in mixed martial arts likely owes its existence to the pioneering influence of Ronda Rousey.
Harrison, a decorated judoka who earned two Olympic gold medals, transitioned to the cage and secured two $1 million PFL Championships. Now, she is preparing to face Julianna Pena in the co-main event of UFC 316 this Saturday night, aiming to capture the UFC bantamweight championship.
Throughout their respective judo careers, Harrison and Rousey had numerous encounters, though they competed directly only once, back in 2005. In that match, Rousey emerged victorious. Both athletes went on to achieve legendary status within the U.S. Judo program.
Kayla Harrison Credits Ronda Rousey for Paving the Way in MMA
Before Ronda Rousey made her highly anticipated UFC debut, promotion president Dana White famously stated that women would never compete inside the octagon. Rousey single-handedly changed that landscape, and over a decade later, fighters like Kayla Harrison are headlining major pay-per-view events vying for world titles.
“Ronda had an amazing career, and I would not be here if it were not for Ronda Rousey,” Harrison stated. “I have nothing but gratitude for her and the glass ceilings that she shattered for women in this sport.”
Reflecting on her judo achievements, Harrison added, “In our judo careers… My career in judo is going to be very hard to touch. And in MMA, that’s the goal.”
Harrison Recalls Personal Challenges During Their 2005 Match
Being three years younger than Rousey, Harrison was just 15 when they faced each other in 2005, while Rousey was nearing her 18th birthday. At that time, the younger judoka was grappling with significant personal difficulties that impacted her performance on the mats.
In an emotional moment, Harrison revealed, “I was 15, and I was being sexually abused by my judo coach. It was not the best time in my life. She beat me, and I’m not taking anything away from Ronda.”
Ultimately, that loss to Rousey served as a powerful motivator for Harrison. She went on to win back-to-back Olympic Gold Medals in women’s judo at the 2012 and 2016 Games. She launched her professional MMA career in June 2018 at PFL 2, notably securing her debut victory via armbar – a technique famously associated with Ronda Rousey.
Benedict Kingsley