Kayla Harrsion Ethnicity & Parents; All About the UFC Bantamweight’s Background

With the Professional Fighting League singing nothing but praise for Kayla Harrison, the world of mixed martial arts witnessed the bantamweight fighter’s skills as she defeated someone like Holly Holm via a second-round submission at UFC 300. The 2-time PFL champion has promised to entertain the MMA realm with her strong stance in the Octagon. With just one bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Harrison has already begun her stride toward the women’s bantamweight championship title.

A large part of the credit for her success in the octagon goes to her determination and hard work. But her impressive professional MMA record of 17 wins and just 1 defeat has made the fight fans wonder about her origin. Today, let’s take a deep dive and get to know everything there is to know about Harrison’s roots.

What is Kayla Harrison’s Ethnicity and Nationality

Born in Middletown, Ohio, Kayla Harrison is an American national, and is ethnically Caucasian, according to reports. Before she transitioned to mixed martial arts, Kayla Harrison was already one of the most successful judokas in the United States.

As a matter of fact, Kayla Harrison became the first American to win an Olympic gold in judo. In fact, she would do so twice, at the 2012 Tokyo and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Along with numerous national and Pan-American judo championships, she has also won the 2010 World Championship in Tokyo.

Given her judo pedigree, it was no surprise to see her make the transition to MMA with ease. The 33-year-old made her MMA debut in 2018 at the PFL and then went on to become champion in the Donn Davis-founded promotion.

So far, Kayla Harrison has been quite prolific, having fought 17 times in the nearly five years since her MMA debut. The American has won all but one of those fights, including winning two of her three shots at the title. The Ohio native’s mother is the one who got her started on the journey to becoming one of the most exciting female martial artists in her life.

Who were Harrison’s parents?

Kayla Harrison’s parents have had a major and decisive role in shaping her successful martial arts career and life. She was born to Kenny Harrison Jr. and Jeannie Yazell in 1990. While her father is a supportive and loving parent, not much is known about him. Her mother, on the other hand, is a different case.

Harrison’s martial arts journey began, well, before she was even born. Her mother, Jeannie is a judo black belt herself who introduced Kayla Harrison to the sport at the age of six. Being an accomplished mixed martial artist herself, Jeannie undoubtedly shaped Kayla’s martial arts career.

Kayla Harrison’s mother adopted her grandchildren, Kyla, 10, and Emery, 4, in 2019 as their mother while Kayla’s sister, was “working through some things”. However, after Jeannie suffered a stroke in 2019, Kayla stepped up and has been raising the kids. They stay with her at her Florida home and have been a source of joy and purpose for her. The former Olympic gold medallist is determined to give them a loving, caring home and provide them with the best life she can. “It was really scary the first few months. Those kids had been through a lot of trauma. They were dealt crappy cards. I just want to provide them a loving, caring, happy and healthy environment,” she said.

As she sets up to face Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, her family will undoubtedly be watching and supporting her. Are you supporting her at UFC 307? Let us know in the comments below.