UFC 316: Kayla Harrison tells abuse victims there is ‘UFC belt at end of the tunnel’

Warning: This article contains an account of sexual abuse.

Kayla Harrison never holds back when telling her story of sexual abuse because she wants to give young victims hope.

“There is a shiny gold medal at the end of the tunnel. There is a UFC belt at the end of the tunnel – but you have to say something and we have to keep talking about it,” says Harrison.

As a child, Harrison was abused by her judo coach. After her mother reported it to the police, he was arrested, found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Harrison is a double Olympic gold medallist judoka and two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, who has used her status as one of the world’s best athletes to raise awareness of child sexual abuse.

In 2018 she wrote a book with the aim of educating parents on how to spot signs that a child is being groomed so they can take preventative action.

Now, the 34-year-old has her biggest platform to raise awareness of the issue.

On Saturday she will face fellow American Julianna Pena for the bantamweight title at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.

“I’m no longer that 10-year-old girl, that 16-year-old girl. I’m an adult now and I feel god gave me this story for a reason and it’s my job to use it to make the world a better place. I want to talk about it,” said Harrison.

“It is important to me. I don’t ever want another little boy or girl to feel alone, to feel dirty, to feel ashamed. There is hope.”