Julianna Pena set for title fight defense against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in Newark
Undisputed bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena is reportedly in line for her first defense of her second reign at the division limit in June, taking on promotional-perfect contender, Olympic gold medalist, Kayla Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.
Pena, the current and two-time undisputed bantamweight champion, returns to action for the first time since beginning her second reign back in January of last year, taking home a controversial decision win over Raquel Pennington in their grudge match pairing in Canada.
As for the number two ranked contender, Harrison, the former two-time PFL lightweight tournament winner turned in her second Octagon victory at UFC 307 back in October, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over perennial contender, Ketlen Vieira.
Julianna Pena books title defense against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316
News of Julianna Pena’s return against Kayla Harrison on June 7. was first reported by Leo Guimaraes on social media this evening.
“Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison being tipped to fight for the bantamweight title on June 7, at UFC 316, in Newark,” Guimaraes posted on X.
First winning bantamweight gold in a stunning upset victory over former two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes back in 2021, massive betting underdog, Pena managed to land a second round rear-naked choke submission win over the Brazilian star.
However, dropping her title in an immediate rematch against the Bahia veteran, Ultimate Fighter victor, Pena found herself on the receiving end of a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Nunes before besting Pennington in her own controversial judging win.
Making good on her long-anticipated Octagon debut in April of last year on the preliminary card of UFC 300, Ohio grappling ace, Harrison stopped promotional alum, former undisputed bantamweight champion, Holly Holm with a dominant rear-naked choke submission win before her decision success against Brazilian stalwart, Vieira last October.
UFC 316 takes place on June 7. from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey — with an undisputed bantamweight title fight between Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison expected to take co-main event honors.
