With UFC 316 win, Kayla Harrison celebrates feat that not even Ronda Rousey, Henry Cejudo or Daniel Cormier could achieve

UFC 316 had two title fights but one of them delivered a historic moment for combat sports. While Merab Dvalishvili made a statement by submitting Sean O’Malley, the story was in the co-main event. Kayla Harrison beat the champion, Julianna Peña, and with that, she achieved the unthinkable. Harrison became the combat sports’ Thanos, with a feat that not even Ronda Rousey, Henry Cejudo or Daniel Cormier were able to pull off.

Collecting all the gems, Harrison is the only fighter to have 2 Olympic medals, be a two-time PFL champion and now, UFC champion. The most impressive thing is she did it in different weight divisions. Absolutely inevitable.

Kayla Harrison is now poised for the biggest fight in women’s MMA history vs. Amanda Nunes. If she wins, she would be the most unstoppable force the sport has ever seen.

The feats are impressive, but she keeps collecting them

For most, winning an Olympic gold medal is the biggest life achievement one can win. And by the way, that’s fair enough. Kayla Harrison decided that was not her ceiling. She won gold medals in Judo in London 2012 and Rio 2016 at 171 lbs. But even two gold medals weren’t quite what Harrison sought. She searched for new challenges.

Kayla Harrison of the United States celebrates after defeating Audrey Tcheumeo of France during the women’s -78kg gold medal judo contest on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Carioca Arena 2 on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In 2018, she made her MMA debut for the PFL. She quickly escalated to star status winning the 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament vs. Larissa Pacheco, amassing a 7-0 record.

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After the Covid-19 pandemic, she became a two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight tournament champion defeating Taylor Guardado. Larissa Pacheco beat her at the 2022 final putting an end to her reign and her undefeated record. Harrison lost via decision. But she bounced back.

Shortly after, it was time to test herself in the UFC. That would mean a massive weight cut to 135 lbs. She debuted with a dominating win over former champion Holly Holm. Then, she beat Ketlen Vieira. With only two fights, she was undeniable and became the number one contender. She submitted Peña and became champion.

Unprecedented stuff in combat sports

When you think gold medalists and UFC champions, you think about Henry Cejudo. Of course, Ronda Rousey was an Olympic medalist (bronze) and became an UFC legend and champion. However, Harrison has done it twice in the Olympics (gold), twice in the PFL and now, at 34 and making the biggest weight cut in her career, in the UFC.

Talking about unprecedented, she is now facing the opportunity to fight the women’s MMA G.O.A.T. in Amanda Nunes. Nunes retired just before Harrison’s arrival to the UFC. However, it’s too good an opportunity to pass on. After Kayla’s win in UFC 316, Nunes entered the octagon and both fighters faced off. If Harrison wins, she would undoubtedly be the best WMMA fighter of all time.