# Janay Harding > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Janay_Harding > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Janay_Harding.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janay_Harding > Source revision: 1317716939 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|New Zealand mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Janay Harding | image = | image_size = | other_names = Hollowpoint | birth_name = Janay Tiana Harding{{cite web |title=Current details for ABN |url=https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=81406692937 |publisher=[Australian Business Register](/source/Australian_Business_Number) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718201327/https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=81406692937 |archive-date=18 July 2025}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|09|28}} | birth_place = [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch), New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = New Zealander | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}} | weight_lb = 145 | weight_class = [Featherweight](/source/Featherweight_(MMA)) | reach = 70.0 in | style = Karate | stance = | fighting_out_of = Sydney | team = | years_active = 2014–present | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 4 | mma_subwin = | mma_decwin = 2 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 5 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | sherdog = 164517 | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Janay Tiana Harding''' (born September 28, 1994) is a New Zealand [mixed martial artist](/source/mixed_martial_arts) who competes in the [Featherweight](/source/Featherweight_(MMA)) division. She is most notable for her time in [Bellator MMA](/source/Bellator_MMA). ==Background== Harding was born in [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch), New Zealand but moved to Australia's [Gold Coast](/source/Gold_Coast%2C_Queensland) at the age of ten when her father, Geoffrey Charlton, died.{{Cite web|title=Harding's struggle with father's passing|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/hardings-struggle-fathers-passing|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Māori Television|language=en}} Starting martial arts at a young age, Harding earned a black belt in karate at the age of 14.{{Cite web|title=Bellator's Harding trip home worth it|url=https://www.teaomaori.news/bellators-harding-trip-home-worth-it|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Māori Television|language=en}} ==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](/source/Jessica-Rose_Clark) and previous Bellator title challenger [Arlene Blencowe](/source/Arlene_Blencowe), while also losing to [Megan Anderson](/source/Megan_Anderson_(fighter)) 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.{{Cite web|title=Janay Harding victorious in international debut – Fight News Australia|url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/janay-harding-victorious-in-international-debut/|access-date=2021-05-11|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Janay Harding signs with Bellator MMA – Fight News Australia|url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/janay-harding-signs-with-bellator-mma/|access-date=2021-05-11|language=en}} ===Bellator MMA=== Signing with [Bellator MMA](/source/Bellator_MMA) in December 2017, Harding made her promotional debut against [Amber Leibrock](/source/Amber_Leibrock) at [Bellator 199](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2018) on May 12, 2018. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Bryan|date=2018-05-12|title=Bellator 199 Results: Bader vs. King Mo|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/5/12/17346106/bellator-199-results-bader-vs-king-mo|access-date=2021-05-11|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Harding faced [Sinead Kavanagh](/source/Sinead_Kavanagh) at [Bellator 207](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2018) on October 12, 2018. She won the bout after it was stopped due to a cut.{{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Bryan|date=2018-10-12|title=Bellator 207 Results: Mitrione vs. Bader|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/10/12/17969340/bellator-207-results-mitrione-vs-bader|access-date=2021-05-11|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Harding faced [Marina Mokhnatkina](/source/Marina_Mokhnatkina) on March 29, 2019 at [Bellator 219](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2019). She won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Bryan|date=2019-03-29|title=Bellator 219 Results: Awad vs. Girtz|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/3/29/18287421/bellator-219-results-awad-vs-girtz|access-date=2021-04-26|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Harding faced [Amanda Bell](/source/Amanda_Bell) at [Bellator 233](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2019) on November 8, 2019. She lost the fight via third-round knockout.{{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Bryan|date=2019-11-08|title=Bellator 233 Results: Salter vs. Van Steenis|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/11/8/20955366/bellator-233-results-salter-vs-van-steenis|access-date=2021-05-11|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Harding faced [Jessy Miele](/source/Jessy_Miele) at [Bellator 251](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2020) on November 5, 2020. She won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Marrocco|first=Steven|date=2020-11-05|title=Bellator 251 results: Corey Anderson manhandles Melvin Manhoef for second-round finish|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/11/5/21551959/bellator-251-results-corey-anderson-manhandles-melvin-manhoef-for-second-round-finish|access-date=2021-05-11|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Harding faced [Leah McCourt](/source/Leah_McCourt) on May 21, 2021 at [Bellator 259](/source/Bellator_259).{{Cite news|title=McCourt to fight Harding in May|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/56762703|access-date=2021-05-11}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-20|title=Bellator 259 weigh-in results: Two fighters come in heavy, including co-headliner|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/bellator-259-cris-cyborg-leslie-smith-weigh-in-results|access-date=2021-05-20|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Leah McCourt turns tables with upkick, submits Janay Harding in wild Bellator 259 finish|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/bellator-259-video-leah-mccourt-upkick-submits-janay-harding-comeback|access-date=2021-05-22|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} Harding faced [Dayana Silva](/source/Dayana_Silva) on April 23, 2022 at [Bellator 279](/source/Bellator_279).{{Cite web |last=King |first=Kristen |date=2022-04-04 |title=Fights on Tap: Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen among 9 Bellator bouts announced |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/4/4/23009990/fights-on-tap-gegard-mousasi-vs-johnny-eblen-among-9-bellator-bouts-announced-mma-news |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Bloody Elbow |language=en |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419022908/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/4/4/23009990/fights-on-tap-gegard-mousasi-vs-johnny-eblen-among-9-bellator-bouts-announced-mma-news |url-status=dead }} She lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 279 ‘Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-279-Cyborg-vs-Blencowe-2-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-186202#janay-harding-(146)-dayana-silva-(1456) |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-24 |title=Arlene Blencowe & Janay Harding both lose via decision at Bellator 279 |url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/arlene-blencowe-janay-harding-both-lose-via-decision-at-bellator-279/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Fight News Australia |language=en-GB}} Harding faced [Sinead Kavanagh](/source/Sinead_Kavanagh) in a rematch on February 25, 2023 at [Bellator 291](/source/Bellator_291).{{Cite web |last=Markey |first=Ross |date=2022-11-07 |title=Report – Sinead Kavanagh vs. Janay Harding II booked for Bellator Dublin on February 24. |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/report-sinead-kavanagh-vs-janay-harding-ii-booked-for-bellator-dublin-on-february-24/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}} She lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{cite web |last1=Rush |first1=Dylan |title=Bellator 291: Sinead Kavanagh Gets Revenge in Rematch with Janay Harding |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/02/25/bellator-291-sinead-kavanagh-vs-janay-harding-2/ |website=Cageside Press |access-date=26 February 2023 |date=25 February 2023}} == Boxing == Harding faced [Tayla Harris](/source/Tayla_Harris) for the vacant [Australian female super-welterweight title](/source/List_of_Australian_female_boxing_champions) at The Melbourne Pavilion on November 22, 2019. She lost the bout via TKO in the 4th round.{{Cite web|title=Tayla Harris obliterates boxing rival|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/tayla-harris-obliterates-boxing-rival/3885748/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Morning Bulletin|language=en}} ==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 4 | sub-wins= | dec-wins= 2 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-losses= 1 | dec-losses= 5 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|6–8 |Jamie Edenden |Decision (unanimous) |Beatdown Promotions 5 |{{dts|2023|September|16}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |[Eatons Hill, Queensland](/source/Eatons_Hill%2C_Queensland), Australia | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center| 6–7 |[Sinead Kavanagh](/source/Sinead_Kavanagh) |Decision (unanimous) |[Bellator 291](/source/Bellator_291) |{{dts|2023|February|25}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |[Dublin](/source/Dublin), Ireland | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center| 6–6 | [Dayana Silva](/source/Dayana_Silva) |Decision (unanimous) | [Bellator 279](/source/Bellator_279) | {{dts|2022|April|23}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 | [Honolulu](/source/Honolulu), Hawaii, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center| 6–5 |[Leah McCourt](/source/Leah_McCourt) |Submission (triangle choke) |[Bellator 259](/source/Bellator_259) |{{dts|2021|May|21}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:42 |[Uncasville, Connecticut](/source/Uncasville%2C_Connecticut), United States |{{small|Catchweight (149.4 lb) bout; McCourt missed weight.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 6–4 | [Jessy Miele](/source/Jessy_Miele) | Decision (unanimous) | [Bellator 251](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2020) | {{dts|2020.11.05}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | [Uncasville, Connecticut](/source/Uncasville%2C_Connecticut), United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 5–4 | [Amanda Bell](/source/Amanda_Bell) |TKO (punches) |[Bellator 233](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2019) |{{dts|2019|November|8}} |align=center| 3 |align=center| 4:44 |[Thackerville, Oklahoma](/source/Thackerville%2C_Oklahoma), United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 5–3 | [Marina Mokhnatkina](/source/Marina_Mokhnatkina) | Decision (unanimous) | [Bellator 219](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2019) | {{dts|2019|March|29}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | [Temecula, California](/source/Temecula%2C_California), United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|4–3 | [Sinead Kavanagh](/source/Sinead_Kavanagh) |TKO (cut) | [Bellator 207](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2018) | {{dts|2018.10.12}} | align=center|1 | align=center|5:00 | [Uncasville, Connecticut](/source/Uncasville%2C_Connecticut), United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 3–3 | [Amber Leibrock](/source/Amber_Leibrock) | Decision (unanimous) | [Bellator 199](/source/Bellator_MMA_in_2018) | {{dts|2018|May|12}} | align=center|3 | align=center|5:00 | [San Jose, California](/source/San_Jose%2C_California) | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 3–2 | Ramona Pascual | TKO (elbows and punches) | Fight Factory Gym: E-1 World Championship |{{dts|2017.05.31}} |align=Center|2 |align=center|1:43 |Hong Kong | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 2–2 | [Arlene Blencowe](/source/Arlene_Blencowe) |KO (punches) |Legend MMA 1 |{{dts|2017|January|28}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:08 |[Gold Coast, Queensland](/source/Gold_Coast%2C_Queensland) Australia | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 2–1 | [Jessica-Rose Clark](/source/Jessica-Rose_Clark) |Decision (unanimous) |Eternal MMA 19 |{{dts|2016|July|30}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |[Gold Coast, Queensland](/source/Gold_Coast%2C_Queensland), Australia | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–0 | Jess Doueihi | TKO (punches) | Brace 36 | {{dts|2015.09.19}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:26 | Sydney, Australia | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | Helen Malone | TKO (punches) | Eternal MMA 5 | {{dts|2014.05.03}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:59 | [Gold Coast, Queensland](/source/Gold_Coast%2C_Queensland), Australia | |- {{end}} {{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Janay Harding|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Janay-Harding-164517|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Sherdog}} == See also == * [List of female mixed martial artists](/source/List_of_female_mixed_martial_artists) ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * {{Sherdog|164517}} * {{Bellator|1514}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Harding, Janay}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand female mixed martial artists Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Category:Mixed martial artists from the Gold Coast, Queensland Category:Bellator female fighters Category:New Zealand female karateka Category:New Zealand women boxers Category:Martial artists from Christchurch Category:21st-century New Zealand sportswomen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Janay Harding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janay_Harding) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janay_Harding?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.