Kayla Harrison’s long-awaited UFC title run began in dominant fashion last night at UFC 316, where she submitted Julianna Peña in the second round to capture the women’s bantamweight belt. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion made a statement, overwhelming Peña with superior grappling and strength throughout the fight.
Peña, known for her resilience and previous upsets, struggled from the outset. After being deducted a point for illegal upkicks in the first round, her chances on the scorecards slipped away. Harrison capitalized in round two, securing a kimura that forced Peña to tap just before the horn sounded The win not only gave Harrison her first UFC title, but also catapulted her to the top of the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, cementing her as a new force in the division.
The victory immediately sparked comparisons to Ronda Rousey, another Olympic judoka who became a UFC superstar. However, Peña dismissed the parallels before the fight, arguing Harrison hadn’t matched Rousey’s MMA legacy yet Harrison, for her part, pointed to her double Olympic gold as proof she’s charting her own path.
With the win, Harrison’s next challenge materialized instantly: Amanda Nunes, the retired former double champion, entered the Octagon and teased a comeback, setting the stage for what could be one of the most anticipated fights in women’s MMA history Peña, meanwhile, remains a top contender and has already called for a shot at the winner of Harrison vs. Nunes.
Harrison’s rapid weight cut to make 135 pounds—a full pounds below her PFL lightweight days—has only added to her legend, and her UFC stats now stand at 19-1 overall and 3-0 in the promotion As the division’s landscape shifts, all eyes are on Harrison, Nunes, and the possibility of a new era at bantamweight.
Who will rise to the challenge next? The suspense in the UFC women’s bantamweight division has never been higher.
