Kayla Harrison is one of the most accomplished athletes in combat sports, known first for her dominance in judo and now for her career in MMA and the UFC. Harrison made history as the first American to win Olympic gold in judo, capturing the top prize at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Kayla Harrison hit rock bottom
But after reaching the pinnacle of her sport, Harrison faced a difficult transition. “After the 2016 games, I knew I was done with judo. Before I even went to my last Olympics, I was burnt out, ready to be done,” Harrison explained.