Jayla Perkins Wins Four Gold at World Championships

The 12-year-old Albuquerque fighter claimed four gold medals at the ICO World Combat Martial Arts Championships in France.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive sports illustration of a young martial artist in a white gi mid-kick on a blue mat with arms raised in celebration. — Albuquerque 12-year-old Jayla Perkins won four gold medals at the ICO World Combat Martial Arts Championships in Thonon-les-Bains, France, on October 16. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jayla Perkins, a 12-year-old from Albuquerque, New Mexico, won four gold medals at the ICO World Combat Martial Arts Championships in Thonon-les-Bains, France, on October 16. She represented Team USA at the event.

Why it matters

Perkins' results have drawn attention to young competitors in combat sports, and Dana White publicly congratulated her and gave her $10,000 before her trip. Her rise is being watched by Albuquerque readers as a local story.

Perkins has amassed over 200 competition wins and more than 190 submissions, according to the extraction. Her four gold medals were won at the ICO World Combat championships in France, though the size of the competitive field was not reported.

The players

Jayla Perkins

A 12-year-old Albuquerque mixed martial artist who trains at Jackson Wink MMA Academy and has competed in multiple Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship who publicly congratulated Perkins and gave her $10,000 ahead of her trip to France.

Jon Jones

A former UFC light heavyweight champion who promoted donations to Perkins' GoFundMe campaign to cover her travel costs.

The details

Perkins decided to become a fighter at age 5 while watching combat sports on TV with her father. She trains at the Jackson Wink MMA Academy and is the only girl on the Albuquerque Bulldogs school football team.

Age 5: Perkins decided to become a fighter after watching combat sports with her father.
October 16, 2026: Perkins won four gold medals in Thonon-les-Bains, France.

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Season Trajectory

Perkins must wait until she turns 18 to fight in the UFC under athletic commission and promotional rules. Her early international results position her as a prospect whose UFC debut is anticipated years from now.

Perkins' record of over 200 wins and 190 submissions makes her a name fantasy and combat sports followers may track as she approaches eligibility for professional bouts. Fans can follow her progress as she trains toward the age-18 threshold for UFC competition.

The takeaway

Perkins' early path shows how young athletes can build competitive records long before professional eligibility. Readers interested in youth combat sports can track how such athletes progress toward adult competition.