Kayla Harrison Dethrones Peña in Dominant UFC 316 Win, Sets Up Clash with Nunes
So UFC 316 just gave us one of the most anticipated matchups in women’s MMA, and Kayla Harrison absolutely delivered. After all the build-up, the trash talk, and months of speculation, Harrison finally stepped into the UFC Octagon and made the kind of statement only she could. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion lived up to the immense expectations by submitting Julianna Peña to claim her first UFC bantamweight title.
It wasn’t just a fight — it was a turning point. From the opening bell, Harrison looked like she was on a mission. Even though Peña came in as the defending champion — and let’s not forget, she’s the one who shocked the world by dethroning Amanda Nunes back in the day — she looked overwhelmed. Harrison had cut a brutal amount of weight to make bantamweight, and still looked noticeably bigger and stronger in there.
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The tension was real leading up to this fight. Peña had been relentless in her trash talk, even accusing Harrison of PED use — without evidence — and trying to get in her head. But Harrison kept it composed, focused, and professional all the way through. Once inside the cage, it was all business.
Midway through the first round, the dynamic started to shift hard in Harrison’s favor. Peña made a critical mistake, landing illegal upkicks while Harrison was grounded, leading to a point deduction by the referee. That alone made Peña’s path to victory even steeper. And it didn’t take long after that — in the second round, Harrison locked in a tight Kimura and forced Peña to tap. Just like that, new champ.
After the win, she shared a respectful moment with Peña and then celebrated with UFC president Dana White and even gave a hug to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was ringside. But then came the real fireworks. Amanda Nunes was there, and Harrison called her out immediately. Nunes stepped into the Octagon, and in front of the roaring Newark crowd, confirmed she’s coming out of retirement for one last showdown.
So now we’re headed toward what might be the biggest fight in women’s MMA history — Harrison vs. Nunes. The Olympic powerhouse versus the GOAT. It’s been a long time coming, and now it’s finally real. If UFC 316 was a statement, then what’s next is going to be an exclamation point.
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