With her recent victory in the UFC, Kayla Harrison has proven herself as an unequaled athlete—earning two glittering Olympic golds, securing double championships in the Professional Fighters League, and adding a groundbreaking UFC title to her name. Her sights, however, remain firmly set on the ultimate accolade: being recognized as the foremost female fighter of all time. This past Saturday, Harrison, who hails from Middletown, proved unbeatable against 135-pound champion Julianna Peña, compelling her to surrender in the late second round. The victory marked a splendid championship win at the Prudential Center, remarkable as it was only Harrison’s third fight within the UFC sphere.
Harrison, the Middletown-born star who transformed from a typical girl into a formidable force within the fighting ring, seems to perform at her best under the spotlight of grand occasions. Now, as the new bantamweight champion, Harrison is likely to garner attention from previous champion and celebrated 2025 UFC Hall of Fame inductee, Amanda Nunes. Nunes, having basked in the excitement of Harrison’s win on Saturday, is contemplating coming out of retirement to challenge the 19-1 Harrison in a bout that promises to significantly boost the earnings of the both combatants.
At the noteworthy event, Harrison’s mother, Jeannie Yazell, expressed her belief that her fiery daughter may have only a couple more battles before considering retirement. Regardless of the duration left in her professional journey, Harrison has already been a force to be reckoned with in the arena of mixed martial arts, and her impact is palpable both globally and in her native Middletown.
Harrison’s dedication to her craft and her relentless quest for superiority echoes throughout her city. As quoted by the city’s communications manager, she never ceases to chase, and ultimately achieve, exceptional levels of proficiency. And she achieves all this while always paying homage to her roots—ranking as not just an inspiration, but the epitome of the grit, perseverance, and ultimate success of Middletown.
The principal of Middletown High School, Carmela Cotter, acknowledges Harrison’s relentless championship spirit. According to her, Harrison possesses the ability to dream big and subsequently transform these dreams into reality. After accomplishing her primary education at Middletown City Schools, Harrison transitioned from her state to focus on her judo training, eventually winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
Cotter recognizes that while many people see Harrison’s success as effortless, they often do not get a glimpse of the innumerable hours she has spent enduring strenuous training sessions. Harrison’s father, Kenny Harrison, based in Middletown, maintains that irrespective of the result of his daughter’s future battles, he regards her as the ultimate fighter in history.
Harrison’s achievements have struck a chord with her hometown community. The town’s appreciation is apparent through signs posted throughout the area, proudly welcoming visitors to ‘the home of Harrison.’ As she continues to elevate her position in the mixed martial arts world, Harrison remains humbled by her town’s support.
Her contribution to her city extends beyond her fighting career. The community lauds her induction into the Gold Medal Club of the Pigskin-Roundball Spectacular and cherishes her time as the grand marshal in a local parade. Harrison also contributes to community welfare initiatives such as participating in the local police department’s annual Shop with a Cop program.
According to her mother, Harrison consistently gives back to her community, making annual donations to the Hope House Women’s Shelter. This act not only salutes her community spirit but also showcases a softer side of one of the most feared fighters on the planet.
In the face of all these achievements, Harrison embodies humility and gratitude. All her triumphs, she believes, are due to her faith. Her journey not only underscores her extraordinary professional career but also highlights her dedication and compassion, traits that make her role model for everyone, whether they are fight fans or simply admirers of strong character. The sum of her experiences selling her as more than an athlete—she is an example of dedication, of grit, and of unrelenting pursuit of excellence.