Harrison vs Peña: UFC 316 Results & Nunes Next Fight
- Kayla Harrison showcased her dominance at UFC 316 in Newark, New jersey, securing the UFC women's bantamweight championship by submitting Julianna Peña in the second round.
- Immediately after her championship win, Amanda Nunes, the former bantamweight champion, announced her return from retirement.
- "I feel like we knew this was going to happen," Harrison said.
Kayla Harrison dominates at UFC 316, winning the women’s bantamweight championship by submitting Julianna peña in the second round. This stunning victory sets the stage for a thrilling clash with Amanda Nunes, who has announced her return to the Octagon. Harrison, a judo champion, employed relentless pressure and takedowns, leaving Peña struggling. Nunes, the former champion, now gears up to challenge Harrison. News Directory 3 has the scoop–find out more about Harrison’s impressive performance and the epic battle ahead. Discover what’s next …
Kayla Harrison Claims UFC Bantamweight Title, Submits Peña
Updated June 8, 2025
Kayla Harrison showcased her dominance at UFC 316 in Newark, New jersey, securing the UFC women’s bantamweight championship by submitting Julianna Peña in the second round. The fight concluded with just seconds remaining in the round,marking a notable victory for Harrison.
Immediately after her championship win, Amanda Nunes, the former bantamweight champion, announced her return from retirement. Nunes is now slated to challenge Harrison for the title, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup between the two elite fighters.
“I feel like we knew this was going to happen,” Harrison said. “I have the belt, she has the legacy. let’s put it on the table.”
Harrison (19-1) controlled the fight from the outset, utilizing relentless pressure and takedowns. Peña (12-6) struggled to mount any significant offense, spending much of the bout defending against Harrison’s attacks. A key moment in the first round saw Peña penalized with a point deduction for an illegal upkick.
In the second round, Harrison continued her assault, eventually securing another takedown.After some ground-and-pound,Harrison transitioned to a Kimura submission,forcing Peña to tap out with only five seconds left in the round.
“This is for anyone who has ever felt hopeless and wanted to quit,” Harrison said.”On Thursday, I wanted to quit, but there’s a small voice that will tell you not to quit.”
Harrison alluded to a difficult weight cut leading up to the fight, but she successfully made weight and delivered a stellar performance in the Octagon.
Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, transitioned to MMA in 2018. Before joining the UFC in January 2024,she won the PFL lightweight tournament twice,in 2019 and 2021. Her UFC debut at UFC 300 saw her submit Holly Holm in the second round, followed by a decision win over Ketlen Vieira, solidifying her title shot.
Despite her previous upset victory over Nunes in December 2021, Peña could not replicate that success against Harrison, succumbing to the new champion’s superior grappling skills.
Despite pre-fight tensions, Harrison and Peña shared a moment of respect after the bout.
“We prayed for each other,” Harrison said. “It’s not personal. We’re hear to fight. This is a business and I’m grateful to Peña for bringing out a better version of me.”
What’s next
the stage is now set for Kayla Harrison to defend her newly won UFC bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes. the highly anticipated fight promises to be a clash of champions, with Nunes seeking to reclaim her legacy and Harrison aiming to solidify her reign.