FOUR-TIME GOLD MEDALIST. WORLD CHAMPION.
12-year-old Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Four gold medals in France. A remarkable journey still unfolding.
Jayla Perkins is a 12-year-old, Team USA 4x Gold Medalist WORLD CHAMPION and nationally and internationally ranked Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With more than 200 competition wins, including 190+ submissions, she has already built a fierce reputation across 12 states and now on the world stage.
She trains out of Next Move Jiu Jitsu, cross-trains at Jackson Wink, and competes alongside the boys on the championship Albuquerque Bulldogs tackle football team while maintaining an elite training schedule.
Her family became homeless when she was just six weeks old. For nearly the first two years of her life, their car was home.
Those same little feet that learned to walk in the backseat of a Hyundai Elantra have now carried her all the way to becoming a WORLD CHAMPION.
As the oldest of six children, Jayla understands that five younger siblings are watching what she does next. She hopes her journey shows them, other young athletes, girls competing in traditionally male-dominated sports, and kids facing difficult circumstances that where you begin does not determine how far you can go.
In October 2026, Jayla proudly represented Team USA at the International Combat Organisation (ICO) World Championships in Thonon-les-Bains, France, where she brought home FOUR GOLD MEDALS! 🥇🥇🥇🥇
At just 12 years old, Jayla accomplished something extraordinary, and she's only getting started. With the continued support of her family, her community, and the incredible people standing behind her, she's excited to keep training, competing, and pursuing even bigger dreams.
Jayla's journey has been championed by some of the most accomplished leaders in combat sports and entrepreneurship.
KOB 4 spotlights Albuquerque athlete Jayla Perkins as she trains and prepares to travel to France to represent the United States at the world championships.
Jayla Perkins represented Team USA at the 2026 International Combat Organization (ICO) World Championships in Thonon-les-Bains, France, October 14–18, 2026, and brought home FOUR GOLD MEDALS! She won gold in all four of her competition categories.
Jayla's championship victory represents years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless training. She competed against the world's best young Jiu-Jitsu athletes and brought home the ultimate prize, cementing her legacy as a Team USA World Champion.
Major milestones and updates as Jayla's story unfolds.
Jayla returned home from the 2026 ICO World Championships with FOUR GOLD MEDALS! She won gold in all four competition categories, cementing her status as a World Champion at age 12.
Jayla competed for Team USA at the 2026 International Combat Organization World Championships in Thonon-les-Bains, France, at the international championship.
Jayla was officially selected to represent Team USA at the 2026 ICO World Championships. International ranking status earned and intensive preparation followed.
Throughout her journey, Jayla has been championed by world-class supporters including UFC President Dana White, UFC Champion Jon Jones, and entrepreneur Dhar Mann.
Jayla's family faced homelessness in her infancy, living in a car. Today, she stands as a Team USA World Champion, proving that where you begin does not determine how far you can go.
Team Jayla is open to conversations with brands, organizations, and companies interested in supporting her athletic journey. As a 2026 World Champion, Jayla continues to compete at the highest levels of international Jiu-Jitsu.
Jayla’s story has already brought together supporters including Dana White, UFC President; Jon Jones, UFC legend; and Dhar Mann, content creator and entrepreneur. Videos featuring their support have reached millions of viewers, while local television coverage has introduced her journey to audiences across New Mexico.
For a potential partner, that means an opportunity to be part of Jayla’s next chapter and explore creative ways to share the partnership, from a sponsorship announcement to a special reveal video, with content planned together and approved before publication.
We love finding meaningful ways to celebrate the businesses and people who believe in Jayla. If your brand connects with her story, we’d love to explore what a partnership could look like.
Television coverage includes KOB 4, KRQE 13, and KOAT 7.
Have an idea for supporting Jayla? Let’s talk.
Jiu-Jitsu apparel, gis, competition gear
Training equipment, nutrition, recovery
Airlines, hotels, transportation
Jiu-Jitsu organizations, gyms, training facilities
Local and national brand collaborations
Appropriate content collaborations and features
Tell us about your brand and the partnership you have in mind.
Interested in featuring Jayla, filming with her, or telling part of her Team USA journey?
We welcome inquiries from:
