UFC 316's Kayla Harrison Lived an 'Empty Life' Before Motherhood
UFC 316's Kayla Harrison Lived an 'Empty Life' Before Motherhood originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
UFC 316 co-headliner Kayla Harrison (18-1) didn't realize what she was missing before becoming a mother.
Advertisement
Harrison appeared to have things figured out in terms of her career and her life. Having won Olympic gold twice, capturing PFL gold, and having a routine lifestyle, Harrison was fairly content with how things were going.
When Harrison entered motherhood, her perspective completely changed.
During an exclusive interview with Athlon Sports, Harrison discussed the lessons she continues to learn about being a mother.
"Well, I mean, they never stop," Harrison said. "You learn a new one every day. It's the most rewarding, challenging, frustrating, exciting, crazy, roller coaster thing, unpredictable thing I've ever done, but it is the biggest blessing of my life. My kids actually recently went on a little trip with my mom to the other side of Florida. So, I had the house to myself for probably the first time ever.
Advertisement
"It was so shocking to me. I adopted my children, so before I had kids, I would wake up, I would eat, I would go train, I would come home, maybe read a book, lay out, take the dogs for a walk, go train again. Maybe have friends over for poker night or Taco Tuesday, but that was it. That was all I did.
"On a Monday, I did that, and on a Wednesday, I was a mom. I couldn't believe how empty my life was and sort of just self-centered. My children have changed my life, and they've made me a better person, and they have given me a fullness and a purpose that I didn't even know I was missing until they showed."
From Olympic Gold to UFC Gold?
Kayla Harrison represents the United States during the Olympics.(via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
Harrison will challenge Julianna Pena (12-5) for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday. It'll be Harrison's first opportunity at UFC gold.
Advertisement
The judo specialist explained the difference between how she felt going into her first chance at earning an Olympic gold medal and how she's feeling ahead of UFC 316.
"I think the biggest difference is me," Harrison said. "My mentality, the wisdom, maybe, of having the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage so many times in my life. When I won my first gold medal, I was kind of young and dumb and a little bit clueless.
"Now, I have just a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I'm so grateful for that because it's prepared me perfectly for what I'm about to achieve."
Tuning Out Own Hype
Kayla Harrison is interviewed after scoring a victory inside the UFC Octagon.(via Zuffa LLC)
Harrison has long been viewed as a top athlete in MMA who is the favorite in virtually all of her bouts. She believes her competitive spirit won't allow her to fall into any outside noise.
Advertisement
"For sure," Harrison said about avoiding outside hype thanks to her competitive edge. "I think that, at the end of the day, I am grateful for the fans, and I love them dearly. I always say I don't have fans; I just have friends I haven't met yet, but I don't do this for them.
"I do it because I feel like God has given me a gift, and it is my duty and my responsibility to give my very best. It's easy to block out the noise when you know that's not why you do it. I don't do this for applause or for money or for fame."
Julianna Pena's Steroid Accusations
Julianna Pena speaks to a reporter during a UFC pre-fight press conference.(via Zuffa LLC)
Pena has never been shy to hold her tongue ahead of her fights. The reigning 135-pound champion has accused the challenger of steroid use. Harrison takes the trash talk in stride.
Advertisement
"I'm not sure," Harrison said when asked why Pena made the accusation. "I think that, to me, it speaks of fear and it screams of insecurity. Kind of like a built-in excuse, but it's also a compliment to me. If you think that I'm unnatural, thank you. I work really damn hard to be this way.
"I've been drug tested since I was 12 years old. That's when I ranked on the national roster for judo. So, I can guarantee you I've probably been tested 10 times more than every UFC fighter because it's been 20-plus years of getting tested. I've never tested positive; I've never taken any substances."
If you strip away the pre-fight banter, Harrison admits that she thinks Pena has the qualities of a worthy fighter inside the Octagon. Still, she thinks her skills outmatch Pena's significantly.
"I think everybody's tough until you beat them," Harrison said. "You got to go out there and you got to implement your game plan and instill your will. I think her best attribute as a fighter is that she's got heart and she is a fighter. She's not going to quit, but we've seen her lose. We've seen her holes, and I'm better everywhere."
Amanda Nunes Biding Her Time?
Amanda Nunes holding the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship and the featherweight gold.(via Zuffa LLC)
A big story that looms over Harrison's title shot against Pena involves Amanda Nunes. "The Lioness" has teased a return to the Octagon several times. Harrison is unsure if Nunes is waiting for UFC 316 to conclude, but she wouldn't blame her if that is the case.
Advertisement
"I don't know," Harrison said. "Maybe, I haven't given it a ton of thought. Probably, I would if I were her."
Other Women's Bantamweight Fighters
Norma Dumont lifts her opponent up for a takedown during their UFC fight.(via Zuffa LLC)
In terms of women's bantamweights on the current UFC roster or even those who are waiting for their chance outside of the promotion, Harrison welcomes the best talent that the 135-pound division has to offer.
"I think that there's a lot of up-and-coming fighters," Harrison said. "There is going to probably be a changing of the guard some day. There's always going to be the next hungry, young killer who's ready for their moment and ready for their opportunity. My job is to welcome them with open arms to the big leagues."
Merab Dvalishvili Repeats at UFC 316?
UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley meet face-to-face before UFC 316.(via Zuffa LLC)
Harrison will share the same card that will be headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship rematch. Titleholder Merab Dvalishvili will collide with Sean O'Malley a second time. Harrison has an idea of how the second encounter will play out.
Advertisement
"I think that Merab is a machine, and I think that he's going to go out there and get the job done," Harrison said. "He's a tough fighter to beat."
Kayla Harrison Enters G.O.A.T. Conversation?
Kayla Harrison being introduced by Bruce Buffer before her UFC fight begins.(via Zuffa LLC)
As far as her own fight is concerned, Harrison is shooting for the stars. She believes the headlines will be singing her praises following UFC 316.
"I think they're just going to say, 'Kayla Harrison, greatest fighter of all time.'"
Related: Rising UFC Star Shares Surprising Take on Islam Makhachev's Move to Welterweight
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
McMenamin: Sale of Lakers won't affect LeBron James' future with team
With a majority share of the Los Angeles Lakers set to be sold by the Buss family to Mark Walter, who has been the Los Angeles Dodgers' primary owner since 2012, plenty of fans are wondering what that will mean as far as LeBron James' future with the team. James has a player option for next season that will pay him $52.6 million if he exercises it. He can also opt out and sign a new, slightly contract, whether he takes a pay cut or even agrees to one that would pay him more than his current deal. Advertisement Some have criticized the Buss family for allegedly caving in to the whims of James and Klutch Sports when it comes to personnel moves. But according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the regime change won't change James' desire to remain with the franchise. 'I'm told that one person that this decision to sell the team has no bearing on his decision moving forward with the Lakers is LeBron James. He still has a decision at the end of the month to decide whether to opt in for next year's contract worth about $56 million or opt out and become a free agent. 'This decision by the Lakers to sell the team has no bearing on where LeBron is going to choose to go next year. And, again, we've been given no indication thus far that LeBron won't be a Laker next season.' James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range this season. Assuming he plays next season, as most expect him to, he would be participating in his 23rd NBA season, which would be a new league record. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: McMenamin: Sale of Lakers won't affect LeBron James' future with team
Fox News
16 minutes ago
- Fox News
Chiefs sued by former employee alleging racial discrimination after being accused of attacking female coworker
The Kansas City Chiefs are being sued by former NFL defensive back Ramzee Robinson, who previously worked as the team's director of player engagement. Robinson is alleging wrongful termination after accusing the franchise of discriminating against him because he is Black. He filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri on Sunday. In the lawsuit, Robinson claims that he was called into a meeting in February and accused of attacking a female co-worker, and that the Chiefs refused to show him security video of the encounter. Robinson ultimately was fired from his position, which involved locker room management, mentorship and other responsibilities within the team. The lawsuit claims that Robinson was paid a salary of $125,000 by the Chiefs, but that his research found other NFL teams paid comparable positions an average salary of $171,932, not including other benefits. It also claims that "the Chiefs paid African-American business employees less than their white counterparts." Chiefs spokesman Brad Gee told The Associated Press on Wednesday that while he could not comment on pending legal matters, "to be clear, the Chiefs do not tolerate discrimination of any kind." Robinson spent nine years working for the Chiefs in a front office role. Robinson was the final player chosen in the 2007 draft by Detroit. He played in 19 games over two seasons for the Lions, then appeared in three games for Philadelphia and four for Cleveland in 2009. He never played for the Chiefs. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chiefs for further comment. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Canadiens Have An Important Date On Saturday
With the draft fast approaching, the Gold Star Group is hosting its annual showcase at the Barwis Performance Centre in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The CEO and player agent, Daniel Milstein, has published his schedule on an Instagram story. On Saturday, June 21, the Montreal Canadiens are set to meet Russian prospect Alexander Zharovskyi. The 6-foot-1 and 163-pound left-shot right winger is ranked fifth amongst European skaters by the NHL Central Scouting and has an explosive mix of skills, but is still trying to put it all together. He tends to rely on his skills and abilities, perhaps a bit too much at times, which can lead to turnovers that could have been avoided. Advertisement Canadiens: Former Hab Could Come Back To Atlantic Division Canadiens: A Big Name Interested In Montreal Canadiens: Demidov Set To Take Part In Showdown With his height, he needs to put on some weight and is in dire need of time in the gym to add some muscle, which would make him harder to take off the puck. He was dominant with Tolpar Ufa in the MHL, especially in the second half of the season. He started the year with only 6 points in 15 games, but he then exploded for 26 points in 18 games which lead to 50 points and 24 goals in just 45 games. Those numbers led all players under 18 years of age and he really forced the scouting world to take notice. His offensive game is impressive not only in the opponent's zone, but also in transition to launch the attack. At this stage of his development, it's hard to evaluate what his ceiling could be, but he's an intriguing package that could fit the Canadiens' style of play in the Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton era. He looks like the kind of player who could benefit from a coach eager to teach like Martin St-Louis. His ranking amongst scouting media varies, TSN's Craig Button has him at number 36, McKeen's Hockey ranks him at 43, while Dobber prospects has him at 42, but Recrutes puts him at 58. As for THN's Ryan Kennedy, he is not enamoured with the prospect, ranking him 81st overall. Advertisement To make the trip to Florida, it seems the Canadiens are at least intrigued by the prospect and they do have two second-round picks, the round in which he's most likely to come off the board. The Canadiens have pick number 41 thanks to the trade that sent Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for Casey De Smith, Jeff Petry, Nathan Legare and this pick. Montreal also has its own pick which comes at 49 overall. It's hard to predict how the draft will go down, but if Zharovskyi is still on the board when the Canadiens' turn comes, it wouldn't be surprising to see them gamble on this project of a prospect. Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Advertisement Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
