Janay Harding

Janay Harding
Born (1994-09-28) September 28, 1994 (age 30)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Other namesHollowpoint
NationalityNew Zealander
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach70.0 in (178 cm)
StyleKarate
Fighting out ofSydney
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins6
By knockout4
By decision2
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Janay Harding (born September 28, 1994) is a New Zealand mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division. She is most notable for her time in Bellator MMA.

Background

Harding was born in Christchurch, New Zealand but moved to Australia's Gold Coast at the age of ten when her father, Geoffrey Charlton, passed away.[1] Starting martial arts at a young age, Harding earned a black belt in karate at the age of 14.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Harding started her professional MMA career in 2014, compiled a 3–2 record, though the two losses on her professional record came against current UFC fighter Jessica-Rose Clark and previous Bellator title challenger Arlene Blencowe, while also losing to Megan Anderson in an amateur bout. Harding made her international debut in May 2017, travelling to Hong Kong where she secured a second round stoppage over Ramona Pascual.[3][4][1]

Bellator MMA

Signing with Bellator MMA in December 2017, Harding made her promotional debut against Amber Leibrock at Bellator 199 on May 12, 2018. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[5]

Harding faced Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 207 on October 12, 2018. She won the bout after it was stopped due to a cut.[6]

Harding faced Marina Mokhnatkina on March 29, 2019 at Bellator 219. She won the bout via unanimous decision.[7]

Harding faced Amanda Bell at Bellator 233 on November 8, 2019. She lost the fight via third-round knockout.[8]

Harding faced Jessy Miele at Bellator 251 on November 5, 2020. She won the bout via unanimous decision.[9]

Harding faced Leah McCourt on May 21, 2021 at Bellator 259.[10] At the weigh-ins, McCourt weighed in at 149.4 pounds, three and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and McCourt was fined a percentage of her purse, which went to Harding.[11] After looking dominant in the second round with her striking, Harding was caught with an upkick while trying to pass McCourt's guard and fell into a triangle choke, losing the bout via submission.[12]

Harding faced Dayana Silva on April 23, 2022 at Bellator 279.[13] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[14][15]

Harding faced Sinead Kavanagh in a rematch on February 25, 2023 at Bellator 291.[16] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

Boxing

Harding faced Tayla Harris for the vacant Australian female super-welterweight title at The Melbourne Pavilion on November 22, 2019. She lost the bout via TKO in the 4th round.[18]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches 6 wins 8 losses
By knockout 4 2
By submission 0 1
By decision 2 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 6–8 Jamie Edenden Decision (unanimous) Beatdown Promotions 5 September 16, 2023 3 5:00 Eatons Hill, Queensland, Australia
Loss 6–7 Sinead Kavanagh Decision (unanimous) Bellator 291 February 25, 2023 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 6–6 Dayana Silva Decision (unanimous) Bellator 279 April 23, 2022 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 6–5 Leah McCourt Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 259 May 21, 2021 2 2:42 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (149.4 lb) bout; McCourt missed weight.
Win 6–4 Jessy Miele Decision (unanimous) Bellator 251 November 5, 2020 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 5–4 Amanda Bell TKO (punches) Bellator 233 November 8, 2019 3 4:44 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–3 Marina Mokhnatkina Decision (unanimous) Bellator 219 March 29, 2019 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 4–3 Sinead Kavanagh TKO (cut) Bellator 207 October 12, 2018 1 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 3–3 Amber Leibrock Decision (unanimous) Bellator 199 May 12, 2018 3 5:00 San Jose, California
Win 3–2 Ramona Pascual TKO (elbows and punches) Fight Factory Gym: E-1 World Championship May 31, 2017 2 1:43 Hong Kong
Loss 2–2 Arlene Blencowe KO (punches) Legend MMA 1 January 28, 2017 1 1:08 Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
Loss 2–1 Jessica-Rose Clark Decision (unanimous) Eternal MMA 19 July 30, 2016 3 5:00 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Win 2–0 Jess Doueihi TKO (punches) Brace 36 September 19, 2015 1 1:26 Sydney, Australia
Win 1–0 Helen Malone TKO (punches) Eternal MMA 5 May 3, 2014 1 1:59 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Harding's struggle with father's passing". Māori Television. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Bellator's Harding trip home worth it". Māori Television. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Janay Harding victorious in international debut – Fight News Australia". Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Janay Harding signs with Bellator MMA – Fight News Australia". Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  5. ^ Tucker, Bryan (12 May 2018). "Bellator 199 Results: Bader vs. King Mo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  6. ^ Tucker, Bryan (12 October 2018). "Bellator 207 Results: Mitrione vs. Bader". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  7. ^ Tucker, Bryan (29 March 2019). "Bellator 219 Results: Awad vs. Girtz". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  8. ^ Tucker, Bryan (8 November 2019). "Bellator 233 Results: Salter vs. Van Steenis". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  9. ^ Marrocco, Steven (5 November 2020). "Bellator 251 results: Corey Anderson manhandles Melvin Manhoef for second-round finish". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  10. ^ "McCourt to fight Harding in May". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Bellator 259 weigh-in results: Two fighters come in heavy, including co-headliner". MMA Junkie. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Leah McCourt turns tables with upkick, submits Janay Harding in wild Bellator 259 finish". MMA Junkie. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  13. ^ King, Kristen (4 April 2022). "Fights on Tap: Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen among 9 Bellator bouts announced". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  14. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 279 'Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Arlene Blencowe & Janay Harding both lose via decision at Bellator 279". Fight News Australia. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  16. ^ Markey, Ross (7 November 2022). "Report – Sinead Kavanagh vs. Janay Harding II booked for Bellator Dublin on February 24". FightBook MMA. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  17. ^ Rush, Dylan (25 February 2023). "Bellator 291: Sinead Kavanagh Gets Revenge in Rematch with Janay Harding". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Tayla Harris obliterates boxing rival". Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  19. ^ Sherdog.com. "Janay Harding". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 August 2020.