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Harrison between judo and the Octagon: a final choice between glory and family
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Kayla Harrison, a judo icon and undisputed UFC bantamweight star, could end her career in 2026. At 36, after four surgeries in four years and extreme sacrifices, the American champion is considering an imminent retirement, torn between physical fatigue and a precarious family balance.
To remember:
- Kayla Harrison, two-time Olympic judo champion and UFC star, is considering retirement at 36.
- Four surgeries in four years and extreme sacrifices have eroded her physical and mental condition.
- Her fight against Amanda Nunes in November 2026 could mark the pinnacle of her Octagon legacy.
- Between family life and career, Harrison has sacrificed her social life for five years, a balance that is increasingly precarious.
- "My gears are rusty": Harrison speaks of fatigue and the toll of her intense athletic career.
Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo champion and the current UFC bantamweight queen, is preparing to write the final chapter of her legendary career. At 36, the American, whose resume is as impressive as her unconventional journey, is sending strong signals toward an imminent retirement. Between four surgeries in four years and repeated weight cuts, her body and mind bear the scars of an extraordinary career.
In a recent interview, Harrison shared her feelings with disarming honesty: "My gears are rusty". A phrase that perfectly sums up the wear and tear accumulated over the years. Her fight against Amanda Nunes, now scheduled for UFC 334 in November 2026, could very well seal her legacy in the cage. A clash that, if it happens, promises to be historic, pitting two of the greatest champions in combat sports history against each other.
A balancing act between family and career
Behind the Octagon’s spotlight, Kayla Harrison’s life is a true balancing act. A mother of two, she openly admits to having sacrificed her social life for the past five years. "I don’t even have time to go out", she confesses, revealing the extent of the sacrifices made to stay at the top. Between intense training, media demands, and physical challenges, every day is a race against time. A pace that, according to her, is no longer sustainable in the long run.The legacy of a pioneer
Harrison is not just an exceptional athlete: she is an icon who has transcended the boundaries between judo and MMA. Her transition from the tatami to the cage has marked the history of combat sports, inspiring thousands of young athletes. Yet, despite her dominance in the Octagon, the question of her succession is already being asked. Who will take over after her? The fight against Nunes could well be her swan song, a final flourish to close an already mythical career.Months away from what could be her final fight, Kayla Harrison embodies both the resilience and vulnerability of elite athletes. Her story reminds us that behind the glory lie invisible sacrifices, and that the choice to walk away can sometimes be as courageous as the choice to keep going.