Kay Hansen


Kaylyn Susan Hansen is an American mixed martial artist fighting in the strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She formerly competed in Invicta Fighting Championships.

Background

Hansen originally played softball, planning to continue her career at Harvard. After seeing Ronda Rousey defeat Bethe Correia in UFC 190, she decided she would rather train in MMA. She trained under Erik Paulson at Combat Submission Wrestling, competing in Pankration Youth Fights for an undefeated record of 4–0: two armbars, one Americana, and one unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts career

Amateur career

Hansen made her amateur debut in September 2017, less than a month and a half after her 18th birthday. The fight took place under Fight Club OC at their Gladiator MMA Championship Series 3. She fought Cecilia Padilla in the flyweight division and won via technical knockout in the first round.

Invicta Fighting Championships

Hansen made her professional debut as a strawweight at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedzwiedz, making her the youngest to win in IFC history. She defeated opponent Emilee Prince within the first two minutes of round one via armbar.
She faced Kalyn ".50 Kal" Schwartz at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba. After receiving an elbow to the temple that caused a bloody cut, she lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round. Hansen's next fight was for California Cage Warriors where she defeated Gabby Romero by third-round TKO.
Hansen returned to Invicta at Invicta FC 31 in September 2018 with an impressive third-round TKO victory over Helen Peralta. After the bout, Hansen called out undefeated flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield. Hansen would get that fight at the very next event, Invicta FC 32, serving as a late replacement for Luanna Alzuguir and moving up to flyweight. Hansen lost to Erin Blanchfield via majority decision.
Hansen bounced right back at Invicta FC 33 in December 2018, returning to strawweight and defeating Sharon Jacobson with an incredible third round submission, countering Jacobson's attempted belly to belly suplex into an armbar with only 17 seconds left in a fight she was losing on the scorecards. Hansen had taken the fight against Jacobson on one week's notice, replacing Kanako Murata. In May 2019, Hansen lost a split decision to Magdaléna Šormová. In October, Hansen defeated Nicole Caliari via third round submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hansen made her UFC debut on June 27, 2020, against Jinh Yu Frey at. She won the fight via a submission in round three.This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur Record

Professional boxing record