Kayla Harrison: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Amanda Nunes hasn’t set foot inside the fabled UFC Octagon in almost 26 months time. On June 10, 2023, she made what was, at the time, her retirement appearance in the cage against Irene Aldana (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC).

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 5

‘I ain’t ready for that smoke’… Kayla Harrison hilariously shuts down champ vs champ pitch for UFC White House

President Donald Trump’s announcement of a UFC event taking place at the White House has got people talking. Fans hoped that Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall could finally happen at the event which Trump stated will take place on Independence Day in 2026.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Kayla Harrison picks snubbed UFC champ as deserved winner of award she is nominated for alongside Islam Makhachev

Kayla Harrison isn’t choosing herself – or any other actual nominees – as the deserving winner of this year’s ‘Best UFC Fighter’ ESPY. Harrison has enjoyed another successful 12 months in the cage, culminating in the realization of her UFC championship aspirations.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 2

Mackenzie Dern makes a bold prediction for Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes… ‘She knocks her out’

Kayla Harrison’s first UFC bantamweight title defense is expected to come against the consensus female GOAT. Harrison set up a long-awaited and highly anticipated matchup with her title-winning performance at UFC 316 in early June.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 27

‘Maybe she needs some money’… Kayla Harrison responds to Amanda Nunes training with the only woman to beat her

Kayla Harrison wasn’t fazed after learning about the company that her next opponent is keeping. The UFC’s bantamweight champion is now gearing up for one of the biggest fights in the history of women’s MMA.

MMA News / The SportsRush / June 19

‘Kayla Harrison Would Beat Floyd Mayweather’: Andrew Tate Sparks Outrage After Claiming Average Man Can Beat Women Fighter

It will be a cold day in hell before Andrew Tate makes a statement that doesn’t reek of misogyny. The controversial internet personality, who has been accused of r*pe and human trafficking among other crimes in Britain, has now claimed that any common man can beat a trained female MMA fighter.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 19

‘No one cares’… UFC fighter gives a brutal response to Julianna Pena’s ‘excuses’ for Kayla Harrison loss

Julianna Pena claims she fought with a “severe handicap” at UFC 316. On June 7, Pena was unsuccessful once again in recording a successful title defense.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / June 19

Julianna Pena considered pulling out of UFC 316 Kayla Harrison title fight

The women's bantamweight title changed hands at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. Kayla Harrison dethroned former two-time titleholder Julianna

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 18

Julianna Pena says Kayla Harrison fight was going exactly as planned until she made one fatal error

Julianna Pena’s second bantamweight title reign came to an end in emphatic fashion at UFC 316. Pena was once again unable to add a successful title defense to her résumé in MMA’s leading promotion on June 7, when she returned for the first time since unseating Raquel Pennington from the throne in 2024.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 17

Julianna Peña alleges she entered Kayla Harrison fight with a ‘severe handicap’ in UFC 316 title loss

Former UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña says her UFC 316 loss was preceded by weeks of significant health issues. Julianna Peña‘s second UFC bantamweight title reign came to an abrupt end at the hands of Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 earlier this month.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 14

Paddy Pimblett and Kayla Harrison warned about extreme weight cutting by UFC fighter who faced the consequences

A UFC Atlanta fighter with experience shedding excessive weight sees potential problems in Paddy Pimblett and Kayla Harrison’s future. Weight cutting remains one of mixed martial arts’ biggest unsolved problems, with fighters risking their bodies days out from reaching the cage to hit divisional limits.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 14

Ex-UFC champion suggests Amanda Nunes take ‘warm-up fight’ before Kayla Harrison: ‘She’s human’

Two years have passed since Amanda Nunes’ last UFC fight. The greatest female fighter of all time retired from the sport on top, laying down her two UFC titles in the Octagon after her eleventh title fight win at UFC 289 in June 2023.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / June 12

Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison: Biggest Women's MMA Fight Ever?

After Kayla Harrison’s dominant UFC 316 victory over Julianna Peña, the Olympic gold medalist called out Nunes in the Octagon. When Nunes entered the Octagon

MMA News / The SportsRush / June 12

‘We Didn’t Just Work Standup’: Coach Mendez suggests Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar Blueprint for Kayla Harrison if Amanda Nunes Bout Happens

Expected to share the Octagon with the returning Amanda Nunes, UFC 316 winner, Kayla Harrison has been warned of the stylistic test awaiting her by an esteemed head coach.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 12

Julianna Pena advised to make a big career change instead of challenging Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes winner

Julianna Pena once again failed to record a successful UFC title defense. The former two-time bantamweight champion’s first reign came to a crashing halt at UFC 277 in July 2022, where Pena was dominated by Amanda Nunes in their immediate rematch.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most points in a game by NBA team in 2024-25' quiz

The 'NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners' quiz

The 'NBA Rookies of the Year' quiz

The 'MLB active strikeout leaders' quiz

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 12

‘It takes a piece of your soul’ … Kayla Harrison almost retired with UFC 316 title win

Kayla Harrison thought about hanging up the gloves at UFC 316. A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in judo and PFL champion, Kayla Harrison is now the UFC women’s bantamweight champion after submitting Julianna Peña in the co-main event of UFC 316.

MMA News / MMA on SI / June 12

Kayla Harrison urged to retire by UFC GOAT who quit on top

Kayla Harrison has some of the greatest accolades in sports. With her victory at UFC 316, Harrison joins an exclusive club of fighters to have won a gold medal at the Olympic Games and to hold a UFC title.

MMA News / The SportsRush / June 11

Ronda Rousey’s Ex Says Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Should Happen at 145, Not 135

In what was just her third UFC fight, Kayla Harrison cemented herself as a combat sport all-timer with her victory over Julianna Peña. While Harrison’s trophy cabinet is already very full, capturing a UFC title for the first time is an important addition to that collection.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / June 11

UFC champion predicts Kayla Harrison to beat Amanda Nunes

Former two-time Olympic gold medal in Judo, former two-time PFL lightweight champion and newly crowned UFC bantamweight queen Kayla Harrison wants to be considered the greatest of all time.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / June 10

Kayla Harrison doesn't care what weight class she fights Amanda Nunes, or on what planet

Some storylines just write themselves. That's the case with newly crowned UFC women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and former multi-division titleholder Amanda

MMA News / FirstSportz / June 9

Kayla Harrison Reveals Wild Diet Behind Gruesome Weight Cut to Make 135lbs

UFC 316 had some of the most entertaining fights, and the co-main event was a real highlight for fans. The women’s bantamweight title bout saw top contender Kayla Harrison face off against the always-tough and experienced Julianna Pena.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / June 9

Harrison Dominates Champion

Former Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison Harrison (19-1) made short work of UFC Bantamweight champion Juliana Pena as she made her tap out at the end of the 2nd round at the co-main event of UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.

MMA News / MMA on SI / June 8

Kayla Harrison shares immediate reaction to winning UFC title

Kayla Harrison has begun to recognize the stakes of her championship-clinching win over Julianna Peña Saturday night. It’s Amanda Nunes next... The consensus women’s MMA GOAT faced off with the newly minted UFC Bantamweight Champion in the Octagon Saturday night at UFC 316, planting the seed for one of the sport’s biggest fights.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / June 8

Kayla Harrison taps out Julianna Pena in UFC 316 co-main event

Women's bantamweight champion Julianna Pena put her title on the line in a highly anticipated match against No. 2 ranked contender Kayla Harrison. The

MMA News / MMA on SI / April 21

UFC star Kayla Harrison predicts Julianna Peña title fight will feel like 'Godzilla'

Kayla Harrison is under two months away from realizing her dream when she challenges Julianna Peña for the UFC bantamweight title. In doing so, she recognizes what a challenging puzzle Peña is to solve, despite her confidence level being at an all-time high.