UFC 316 commentator warns fans not to overlook Julianna Pena in title defense against Kayla Harrison

If you don’t think Julianna Pena has a chance at UFC 316, one top commentator strongly disagrees.

Pena will be putting the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at stake against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 316. The title fight will be held inside Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday. Pena is a sizable underdog going into the bout, which is a familiar spot for “The Venezuelan Vixen.” She was a massive underdog before scoring a submission finish over soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes.

Ahead of UFC 316, one notable voice has revealed why he won’t be counting Pena out this weekend.

RELATED: KAYLA HARRISON MAKES SURPRISING ADMISSION AHEAD OF UFC 316 TITLE FIGHT AGAINST JULIANNA PENA

Jon Anik Says Pena Isn’t to be Underestimated

During an interview with MMAFighting.com, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik explained one key aspect of Julianna Pena that makes her a live underdog.

“I just recently went back and watched Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena 1 [at UFC 269], and that’s all the film I need to watch right now,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “[Pena’s head coach] Rick Little has said, superlative to me over the years, just how mean and nasty she is. And man or woman, she is just a nasty f*cking prick, and I just think toughness, plus cardio, plus self-belief, plus just the desire to be in the trenches, right? She’s never looking for a way out. She’s not looking to tap because the going gets tough.

“And I think that’s what you need against an otherworldly decorated two-time Olympic champion like Kayla Harrison that has to deal with a fight before the fight, like few fighters really have to deal with. And that’s probably something that I shouldn’t say in a broad sense, but I can’t help but wonder aloud how many times Kayla Harrison is going to be able to make weight in defending this belt if she’s actually able to win it. I don’t know the answer.”

Many are wondering if the outcome of Pena’s title defense against Kayla Harrison could have implications for a potential Amanda Nunes return. Nunes has teased wanting to step back inside the Octagon, and has shown interest in a showdown with Harrison. Time will tell what transpires in the upcoming women’s bantamweight title fight.