NEWARK, N.J. — Kayla Harrison is officially the new queen of the UFC women’s bantamweight division after a commanding performance at UFC 316, where she submitted Julianna Peña with just five seconds left in Round 2 to claim the vacant title.
Harrison (19-1) showcased her elite grappling and relentless pressure throughout the co-main event, giving Peña (12-6) little room to breathe. From the opening bell, the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist was in full control—walking Peña down, landing takedowns at will, and dominating on the ground.
In the second round, Harrison poured on the punishment with heavy ground-and-pound before transitioning into a slick arm-triangle attempt. When Peña looked poised to survive the round, Harrison expertly shifted into a Kimura lock, forcing the tap with just five seconds remaining.
“This is for anyone who’s ever felt hopeless,” Harrison said in her post-fight interview. “On Thursday, I wanted to quit. But there’s always that little voice telling you to keep going.”
The reference? A brutal weight cut that left Harrison looking gaunt and drained on the scale just 24 hours earlier. But the real fight was in the Octagon—and she delivered.
Moments after her title win, Harrison was joined by Amanda Nunes, the former bantamweight champ who had just announced her return from retirement. The two embraced briefly before sharing an intense faceoff, signaling what could be a blockbuster title clash.
“I’ve got the belt. She’s got the legacy,” Harrison said. “Let’s put it all on the table.”
Harrison’s rapid rise has been nothing short of spectacular. After winning PFL lightweight championships in 2019 and 2021, she signed with the UFC in 2024. She made her promotional debut in dominant fashion at UFC 300, submitting Holly Holm, and followed that with a decision win over Ketlen Vieira to earn her shot at the title.
For Peña, the result was a bitter pill. Known for her shocking upset of Nunes in 2021, she entered this bout as a heavy underdog and never managed to find her footing. She spent most of the fight backpedaling and was docked a point in Round 1 for illegal upkicks during a grounded exchange.
Despite the pre-fight trash talk and tension, Harrison and Peña shared a heartfelt moment after the bout.
“We prayed for each other,” Harrison revealed. “It’s not personal. This is the fight game. And I’m grateful to Julianna—she pushed me to be better.”
