Pros react after Kayla Harrison dethrones Julianna Pena at UFC 316
Tonight’s UFC 316 event was co-headlined by a women’s bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Julianna Pena.
Pena (12-6 MMA) recaptured the promotion’s bantamweight title in her most previous effort this past October at UFC 307, scoring a controversial split decision victory over Raquel Pennington. Prior that the win, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ had suffered a lopsided decision loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 277.
Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison (19-1 MMA) was most previously seen in the Octagon at UFC 307 in Utah, where she picked up a unanimous decision victory over Ketlen Vieira. The former PFL champion had gone 2-0 under the UFC banner since joining the promotional ranks in April of 2024.
Tonight’s UFC 316 co-main event resulted in a dominant performance from the now new champion in Kayla Harrison. The former two-time Olympic gold medalist was able to overwhelm Julianna Pena on the canvas in both of the opening rounds, this before ultimately locking up a fight ending kimura submission hold. Following the impressive win, Harrison called out Amanda Nunes who proceeded to enter the cage for a faceoff. That fight will likely happen next and will surely be a highly anticipated showdown.
Official UFC 316 Results: Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena via submission (kimura) at 4:55 of Round 2
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Pena vs. Harrison’ below:
— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) June 8, 2025
One of the best hyped fights of the year!
Let’s go @KaylaH. ⭐️🙏 #UFC316— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) June 8, 2025
That’s a good call though. That was too many illegal strikes. #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
Been a lot of the talking. Let’s see what these girls have tonight 👀 #UFC316
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) June 8, 2025
Women’s MMA is …
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) June 8, 2025
Post-fight reactions to Kayla Harrison defeating Julianna Pena at UFC 316:
Congrats @KaylaH #andnew #UFC316
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 8, 2025
And new!!! @KaylaH Olympic gold medalist x2, and Undisputed UFC woman’s Bantamweight champ! #UFC316
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) June 8, 2025
That SMILE tells it all. Congrats Kayla. #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
#ANDNEW 👏🏽👏🏽 congratulations Kayla! Incredible accomplishments, very admirable!
— Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) June 8, 2025
Congratulations @KaylaH well-deserved! #UFC316 🇺🇸🏆🥇
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 8, 2025
Damn shawty is stronger than a motherfucker 💪
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 8, 2025
Kayla knows how to set up a fight! #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
Who would you like to see Harrison fight next following her submission victory over Pena this evening in New Jersey?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Topics:
Julianna Pena Kayla Harrison UFC UFC 316
