Harrison submits Pena to win UFC women's bantamweight title
Kayla Harrison is a UFC champion.
Harrison submitted Julianna Pena to capture the women's bantamweight title in the UFC 316 co-main event Saturday night at Prudential Center in Newark. The finish came at the 4:55 mark of the second round.
Harrison got on top of Pena midway through the round and transitioned to a kimura in the waning seconds to force the tap.
After the victory, Harrison faced off with former two-division champion Amanda Nunes in the Octagon. Nunes, who will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame later in June, said earlier this week she planned to come out of retirement to fight the winner of Saturday's co-main event. The UFC has yet to confirm Harrison-Nunes as the next 135-pound title bout, though all indications point to it happening next.
"This is the greatest fighter of all time," Harrison said of Nunes. "For a long time, I've said I want what she has. I have a belt. She has a legacy. Let's put it on the table."
Nunes told Harrison that "definitely, we're gonna see each other in the future."
Harrison and Nunes were teammates at American Top Team in Florida until Nunes left the gym in 2022.
The :goat: vs The Champ #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/FCBxKGPM17
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2025
Harrison captured the women's bantamweight title in just her third UFC appearance. The 34-year-old signed with the promotion in 2024 after parting ways with the PFL and defeated Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira in her first two fights to earn a title shot. Harrison is a former two-time PFL champion and Olympic gold medalist in judo.
Harrison dominated Pena from start to finish, outstriking her 30-9 and completing two of three takedowns. Harrison secured her first takedown two minutes into the first round. Pena was deducted a point in that stanza for multiple illegal upkicks.
Harrison extended her pro MMA record to 19-1 with the victory. She's riding a four-fight winning streak.
Pena's second reign as the UFC women's bantamweight champion came to an end. The 35-year-old defeated Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October to reclaim the title. Pena failed to record a successful title defense across two reigns.