Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Kayla Harrison (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Julianna Pena (not pictured) in a bantamweight title bout during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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UFC 316 Results – Kayla Harrison becomes the New Queen Of The Bantamweights, Sets Up Super Fight With Amanda Nunes!

Kayla Harrison dominates Julianna Pena to win the 135 lb gold, faces off with GOAT Amanda Nunes for next fight!

The women’s bantamweight division has a new queen: Kayla Harrison. Her journey to UFC gold wasn’t a typical MMA story. She didn’t start throwing punches in her backyard or dream of cage fighting as a kid. Instead, she dominated judo at the highest level, winning Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016 before ever stepping foot in an MMA gym. Her transition to mixed martial arts came later in her career, first through Professional Fighters League where she dominated for years.

When she finally made the jump to the UFC, fans wondered if her Olympic pedigree would translate to success against the world’s best female fighters. After her performance at UFC 316, those questions have been answered definitively.

Kayla Harrison Dominated Julianna Pena

UFC 316 at the Prudential Center delivered exactly what fight fans expected Julianna Pena entered the fight as the defending champion. She had already proven herself by defeating legends and surviving wars that would break lesser fighters. Harrison represented the unknown variable. She is an Olympic athlete with world-class grappling skills but questions about her ability to handle the unique pressures of UFC championship fights.

#AndNew Bantamweight champion of the world, @KaylaH!

[ #UFC316 | B2YB @HSpecialSurgery ] pic.twitter.com/H75S0apuRm
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2025

The first round set the tone immediately and showed why Harrison’s wrestling background makes her such a nightmare matchup for most fighters. She used her reach advantage to keep Pena at distance with kicks to the body. Harrison’s takedown game proved too strong for Pena’s defensive wrestling, and once on the ground, Harrison controlled position beautifully.

Pena’s frustration showed when she threw some illegal upkicks that cost her a point deduction. Harrison mixed in some clean striking when they returned to standing, landing a check right hook.

Round two became a masterclass in how elite grapplers can systematically break down opponents. Harrison connected with sharp strikes early, including a straight left hand and inside leg kicks that kept Pena from establishing any offensive rhythm. Harrison decided to take the fight to the ground again despite Pena’s desperate attempts to defend the takedowns.

Once she secured top position, Harrison began hunting for submissions. She transitioned smoothly from back control to a kimura lock, and Pena had no choice but to tap immediately. The submission victory came at 4:55 of the second round.

Kayla Harrison Faces Off Against Amanda Nunes

What happened after Harrison received her UFC belt might have been even more exciting. Instead of simply enjoying her coronation as the new bantamweight queen, she grabbed the microphone and did something that sent the entire Prudential Center into a frenzy. She called out Amanda Nunes, the retired two-division champion who many consider the greatest female fighter in MMA history.

The 🐐 vs The Champ #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/FCBxKGPM17
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2025

Nunes was actually in attendance that night, sitting cageside and watching the action unfold. When Harrison invited her into the octagon for a face-to-face confrontation, the crowd erupted. Nunes, who had retired after cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats, found herself in an impossible position.

Here was a fresh, hungry champion calling her out in front of thousands of fans and millions watching at home. She had seemed content with retirement but now, she found herself agreeing to come back. Harrison had just won her first UFC title, but she was already thinking about the next mountain to climb, and apparently that mountain’s name is Amanda Nunes!

(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)

Julianna Pena

Kayla Harrison

UFC 316

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!