Becoming a mother made Kayla Harrison free.
Harrison has gone through a lot in his 34 years on this planet. Two Olympic gold medalists. Two-time PFL champion. But being a mother seems to have had the most profound impact on her.
“Do you think it’s just the privilege of being a mom? That’s something I’m trying to be very intentional,” Harrison said in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. “I really believe that everything happens for a reason, and God has given me these two children. Together we are healing each other.
Harrison did not become a mother in the traditional way, but after two years of serving as legal guardians, he officially adopted Nie and Ne in October 2021, but the impact that had not only on her life, but on her career as a professional fighter, was quite significant.
“People ask, ‘How do you juggle being a mom and a fighter?’ Once I became a mom, that was my job,” Harrison said. “If I realise that my kids love me, I don’t care if I don’t get a belt, I don’t have a lot of money, I don’t have one, they care if I’m going home.
“Man, it gave me free. I became a free fighter. I had to fight because I needed to get something from someone else. I have now everything I need anymore. My kids and we are fine, we are healthy.
Kayla Harrison will be out at UFC Gold on June 7th
Harrison may no longer be fighting from the necessity, but that’s not too passionate about achieving all her goals at Olympic level, whether in the PFL smart cage or in the Octagon. On June 7th, Harrison aims to add another admiration to her unparalleled resume when she faces Juliana Pena for the Bantamweight World Championship at UFC 316.
Harrison advances to the match with an almost perfect 18-1 record, including back-to-back wins with Holly Holm and Ketren Vieira in his first two appearances under the UFC banner. Harrison is a massive 5-1 favorite to beat New Jersey’s “Venezuela Vixen.”