Who is Kayla Harrison? UFC Star, Olympic Trailblazer, and MMA Champion

Who is Kayla HarrisonWho is Kayla Harrison? Olympic medalist, MMA world champion, and a star in the UFC. She made history by…

Who is Kayla Harrison

Who is Kayla Harrison? Olympic medalist, MMA world champion, and a star in the UFC. She made history by capturing two gold medals in the Olympics representing the USA and then switched to MMA and picked up two titles in the PFL. She now competes in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

Who is Kayla Harrison?

Who is Kayla Harrison? Harrison began practicing judo at the age of six, influenced by her mother, who was a black belt. By 15, she had already won two national championships. However, her early career was marred by trauma; she disclosed that she had been sexually abused by her coach during her teenage years. This led to legal action against the coach and significantly impacted her life and career trajectory.

In an interview, she explained how she now has a foundation that is trying to prevent the same thing from happening to others. In a conversation, she said:

The Fearless Foundation is for survivors of sexual abuse. I’m a survivor of child sexual abuse myself, and the foundation focuses on two things. First, it’s about mastery—finding something kids can immerse themselves in, like judo, painting, archery, or anything that allows them to feel like kids again. Second, it’s about education. We talk about safe sex and stranger danger, but we don’t talk about what to do if someone close to you tries to take advantage of you.

“Over 75 percent of cases involve someone the child knows—family friends, coaches, neighbors. It’s tough, but we have to be careful and aware.”

Who is Kayla Harrison – Olympian

The trailblazer Kayla Harrison made history in her Olympic run by becoming the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo, an incredible feat. She achieved this remarkable feat at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won gold in the -78 kg weight category. Harrison successfully defended her title at the 2016 Rio Olympics, securing her second gold medal in the same weight class.

Kayla Harrison

PFL

Who is Kayla Harrison, the MMA champion? After her impressive Olympic run, Harrison quickly made a name for herself in the Professional Fighters League, where she became a two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion. She holds an impressive MMA record of 17 wins and 1 loss as of October 2024.

Who did Kayla Harrison lose to? Her singular MMA loss is to the Brazilian powerhouse Larissa Pacheco in the PFL.

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison UFC

Harrison signed with the UFC and made her debut against former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300, winning by submission in the second round. As of now, she is ranked #3 in the UFC women’s bantamweight division and #11 in the pound-for-pound rankings.

Harrison is scheduled to fight Ketlen Vieira on October 5, 2024, at UFC 307 in a title eliminator. Brazil’s Viera has a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is expected to be a major test for Harrison.

Why did Kayla Harrison adopt?

In November 2019, Harrison’s mother suffered a stroke. At the time, her mother had custody of Harrison’s niece and nephew. In May 2020, Harrison’s stepfather Bob, who was described as “the rock of the family,” suddenly passed away. He had been taking care of Harrison’s mother and the children. With her mother recovering from a major brain trauma and unable to care for the children, Harrison stepped up. Who is Kayla Harrison? A mother.

Speaking to me, she explained:

“It’s made me a better person, a better fighter, and more complete. Before, my life was very self-absorbed—train, eat, sleep, repeat. Now, my life is full of happiness, even with the stress. It’s the biggest responsibility I’ve ever had, but it’s also the most rewarding.

“There’s no such thing as too much love. My kids—who are my niece and nephew, but I’m adopting them—came from trauma, and I’ve seen firsthand how love and a safe, nurturing environment can transform them.”

Where is Kayla Harrison from?

Who is Kayla Harrison and where is she from? Kayla Harrison is from Middletown, Ohio. She was born there on July 2, 1990, and began her judo training at the age of six, inspired by her mother, who was a black belt in the sport. Although she currently resides in Florida, she proudly represents her Midwestern roots.

Kayla Harrison Brands Henry Cejudo ‘Asinine’ For Breakdown Of Ketlen Vieira Fight

UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison returns this Saturday night at UFC 307 to take on Ketlen Vieira in a huge fight for the division. Harrison has been working hard on her overall MMA game in recent years to make sure that she is able to compete in all areas. Every fight starts on the feet […]

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Brands Henry Cejudo ‘Asinine’ For Breakdown Of Ketlen Vieira Fight at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison returns this Saturday night at UFC 307 to take on Ketlen Vieira in a huge fight for the division.

Harrison has been working hard on her overall MMA game in recent years to make sure that she is able to compete in all areas.

Every fight starts on the feet and developing her striking skills was always going to be an important part of her journey in the sport.

Describing it as a process of no longer “faking it till you make it”, the former PFL star is confident in her all-round MMA abilities in comparison with her opponent.

And as a two-time Olympic gold medallist in judo, there aren’t many people on the planet who can compete with her in her area of specialty either.

Kayla Harrison Fires Back At Henry Cejudo Over Fight Prediction

During their preview of the card on a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman predicted the fight between Harrison and Vieira.

Cejudo made the case that with Vieira having some judo pedigree of her own, she might be able to keep the fight standing – where she could be a big problem for Harrison.

This take wasn’t particularly well received by the #3-ranked contender, who gave her response in a recent interview with Submission Radio.

Harrison believes that Cejudo’s point was meaningless due to the huge gap between a judo black belt and one of the all-time greats in the sport.

“I don’t know why the hell they’re talking about a judo black belt making a difference like there are levels. That would be like me telling Henry, ‘Oh this kid wrestling in varsity in high school so you’re gonna struggle to take him down’. Benign. Asinine. That’s all right, I look forward to showing once again why Henry is a jealous little man.”

Read also: UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Brands Henry Cejudo ‘Asinine’ For Breakdown Of Ketlen Vieira Fight at MMA News.

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From? Brazil’s Pataxó Tribe Explained

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From PataxóWhat Tribe is Alex Pereira From? Poatan’ Alex Pereira hails from the indigenous people of the Pataxó Tribe in…

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From Pataxó

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From? Poatan’ Alex Pereira hails from the indigenous people of the Pataxó Tribe in Brazil. But he wasn’t always a key member of this group, only after struggling did he discover and embrace his roots.

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From?

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From? Alex Pereira is of indigenous ancestry from the Pataxó tribe in Brazil. He identifies strongly with his native roots, stating, “I’m 100% native Brazilian,” and emphasizes that both of his parents are from the native tribal people who lived in Brazil prior to European colonization.

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From Pataxo
What Tribe is Alex Pereira From?

Poatan Meaning

His nickname, “Poatan,” translates to “Stone Hands” in the Tupi language. In Tupi, “Po” means “hand” and “Atan” refers to something solid, dense, or stone-like. To symbolize the meaning of his nickname, Pereira has a tattoo of rocks and pebbles on his left hand. This nickname reflects Pereira’s powerful striking and knockout power. The nickname was given to him by his first kickboxing trainer, who helped Pereira discover and connect with his Indigenous ancestry.

Alex Pereira Indigenous Roots

Alex Pereira’s connection to his indigenous roots and the Pataxó tribe was not something he was initially aware of, but rather discovered later in life. Pereira grew up in a poor neighborhood in São Paulo, Brazil, in a large family with limited resources. As a young man, Pereira struggled with alcohol addiction.

Pereira’s first kickboxing trainer, Belocqua Wera, played a crucial role in his life. Wera introduced him to martial arts and helped him discover his Indigenous roots. What Tribe is Alex Pereira From, the Pataxo he would eventually be introduced to.

As Pereira’s martial arts career progressed, he began to incorporate elements of his indigenous heritage into his public persona. He often wears traditional Pataxó attire, face paint, and accessories during pre-fight ceremonies.

In an interview with MMAFighting, the leader of the tribe explained:

“We gain visibility and respect with his fights. He has indigenous roots and has chosen to represent the Pataxó people, because we were the first to face the Portuguese. We’ve had so many battles, and now we battle to preserve what’s left of our ethnicity.

“[Alex Pereira is] in the United States now, but we’re always in touch, sending him good energy and praying he continues to shine. He’s always going to be a great champion. Middleweight, light heavyweight, and I believe he can become heavyweight champion, too.”

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 29: Alex Pereira of Brazil (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From – Brazil’s Pataxó Tribe

What Tribe is Alex Pereira From? The Pataxó are an indigenous people primarily located in the southern part of Bahia state in Brazil. With a population of around 11,800 individuals, they have a long history dating back to the early encounters with Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century.

The Pataxó have been actively working to preserve and revitalize their culture. They are looking to the Brazilian government to curb conflicts.

The Pataxó maintain various cultural practices, including traditional handicrafts, dances, and rituals. They are known for producing items such as necklaces, bracelets, and wooden utensils, which serve both as a source of income and a representation of their culture.

UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’

A longtime UFC fan favorite is high on Kayla Harrison, so much so that he doesn’t see anybody in the bantamweight division being able to beat her. Harrison, a two-time title winner under the PFL banner, will feature on the main card of this weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she’s […]

Continue Reading UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’ at MMA News.

A longtime UFC fan favorite is high on Kayla Harrison, so much so that he doesn’t see anybody in the bantamweight division being able to beat her.

Harrison, a two-time title winner under the PFL banner, will feature on the main card of this weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she’s set to make her second outing inside the Octagon.

After establishing herself as a dominant force outside MMA’s leading promotion, Harrison got her pursuit of gold in the UFC underway in strong fashion this past April with a submission win over former champ Holly Holm.

To secure a likely title shot down the line, the 34-year-old former judoka is next tasked with getting the better of #2-ranked contender Ketlen Vieira in the “Beehive State.”

And by the sounds of things, recently retired UFC veteran Matt Brown has little doubt about who will have their hand raised in that matchup…

Brown On Harrison Joining BW Division: ‘If I’m The Champion, I’m Retiring’

During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown discussed Harrison’s successful arrival into the UFC women’s bantamweight division earlier this year.

Having seen the manner with which the Ohio native dispatched Holm, “The Immortal” doesn’t see anybody on the roster at 135 pounds capable of halting Harrison’s charge.

“I feel bad for the girls in that division. If I’m the champion, I’m retiring. If I’m Raquel Pennington or I’m Julianna Peña and I win the fight, I’m out. I’m pulling an Eddie Bravo here. Win the big one and I’m done,” Brown said. “I wasn’t quite as big of a believer until the way I watched her beat Holly Holm. Because I just didn’t know about the weight cut, and how she was going to perform (after) the weight cut, and sometimes people change when they come to the UFC. They’re just not what we thought they were when they were in a different organization.

“I think she answered every question very clearly. She’s going to come in, and I don’t think anybody has a chance against her,” Brown continued. “We’re on the way to the Kayla Harrison era. I think she wrecks everybody in that division, including Amanda if she comes back. I don’t think anybody stands a chance against Kayla. I think she is a major problem for everybody in there. … She is an absolute terror for this division.”

Harrison will look to prove Brown right come fight night in Salt Lake City this weekend, when she shares the card with another “terror” in UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

The pair recently got familiar with one another on the mats, with Harrison teaching “Poatan” some judo moves. Her ability to take the Brazilian down is perhaps strong evidence for Brown’s prediction of dominance for the two-time Olympic gold medalist at 135 pounds.

Continue Reading UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’ at MMA News.

What Does Chama Mean? Alex Pereira’s Catchphrase Explained

What Does Chama Mean? Alex PereiraWhat Does Chama Mean? The UFC champion ‘Poatan’ Alex Pereira has used this term repeatedly. Chama has many uses…

What Does Chama Mean? Alex Pereira

What Does Chama Mean? The UFC champion ‘Poatan’ Alex Pereira has used this term repeatedly. Chama has many uses across different languages, but let’s focus on the way Alex Pereira uses chama.

What Does Chama Mean?

The slang meaning that Alex Pereira uses: “chama” is used as slang similar to saying “let’s go” or “come on” in English. It’s an expression of excitement and encouragement. The word has become hugely popular among Pereira’s fans, who chant it during his fights and events.

Alex Pereira Chama

Alex Pereira

Pereira employs “chama” in various contexts. For example, after defeating Jamahal Hill, he cleverly used the phrase “You reap what you sow, Chama,” turning Hill’s trash talk against him.

“Chama” has become an integral part of Pereira’s identity as a fighter, contrasting with his typically serious demeanor and adding a layer of charisma to his public persona. What Does Chama Mean? Despite being a Portuguese word, Pereira’s use of “chama” has transcended language barriers. Fans worldwide have embraced the catchphrase, chanting it even at events outside Brazil.

Chael Sonnen claims Khalil Rountree easily 'Walks through' Alex Pereira in UFC 307 title fight

Chama Meaning

What Does Chama Mean Otherwise? In Portuguese, chama translates to “flame.” It can describe a physical flame or be used figuratively, such as in expressions related to inspiration (e.g., “a chama da inspiração” meaning “the flame of inspiration”). The word also means “call,” derived from the more formal term chamada. This usage is common in everyday conversation.

What Does Chama Mean Scientifically? In scientific terminology, Chama refers to a genus of bivalve mollusks, specifically rock oysters, found in warm or tropical seas. These mollusks are characterized by their fixed, irregular shells and belong to the family Chamidae.

In Latin American Spanish, “Chama” is a colloquial word that can mean “girl” or “young woman.” It is most commonly used in Venezuela and some Caribbean countries.

But the most common usage of Chama, the way ‘Poatan‘ uses it, is the slang term that largely translates to ‘Let’s go’ it ‘Come on’ in English.

UFC Veteran Warns UFC Bantamweights About Kayla Harrison: ‘Nobody Has a Chance Against Her’

Kayla Harrison UFCMMA champion and Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison is likely to run through the competition in the UFC says the…

Kayla Harrison UFC

MMA champion and Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison is likely to run through the competition in the UFC says the MMA veteran Matt Brown, ahead of her title eliminator at UFC 307.

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison made history with her Olympic run being one of the first Americans to medal in Judo, in which she successfully captured two gold medals throughout her run. She would later switch to MMA and went on an unbeaten streak in the PFL picking up two world titles in that time. Eventually, she would lose to Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco and then sign with the UFC.

UFC

In her organizational debut, she submitted former UFC champion Holly Holm. Kayla Harrison’s next match is booked for October 5 at UFC 307 against the Brazilian Ketlen Vieira, who will be a stiff test as he has a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Kayla Harrison vows to land vicious win in debut at UFC 300 they'll have choice but to give me a title shot
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Matt Brown on Kayla Harrison

The Immortal’ Matt Brown competed in the UFC from 2008 until his retirement in 2024. He quickly made a name for himself with an aggressive fighting style characterized by powerful striking and resilience. A former drug addict who found recovery in martial arts.

Matt Brown

Speaking on Kayla Harrison, Brown said that it’s just a matter of time until she captures UFC gold. In an interview with MMAFighting, he explained:

“I feel bad for the girls in that division. If I’m the champion, I’m retiring. If I’m Raquel Pennington or I’m Julianna Pena and I win the fight, I’m out. I’m pulling an Eddie Bravo here. Win the big one and I’m done.

“I wasn’t quite as big of a believer until the way I watched her beat Holly Holm. Because I just didn’t know about the weight cut, and how she was going to perform [after] the weight cut, and sometimes people change when they come to the UFC. They’re just not what we thought they were when they were in a different organization.

“I think she answered every question very clearly. She’s going to come in, and I don’t think anybody has a chance against her.

“The only question from here on out is how long can she keep doing that weight cut?”