Kayla Harrison Submits Julianna Peña to Claim UFC Bantamweight Title

In the co-main event at UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Kayla Harrison dethroned Julianna Peña with a textbook kimura submission in the second round, capturing the UFC women’s bantamweight championship

Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, wasted little time asserting dominance. She secured a takedown early, controlled the fight with top pressure, and weathered two illegal upkicks from Peña—one resulting in a point deduction in round one

Then, with just under five seconds left in the second round, Harrison locked in a devastating kimura that left Peña no choice but to tap out at 4:55 . The performance showcased her elite grappling prowess and earned her a well-deserved Performance of the Night. .

🔥 The Build-Up and Context

This fight was the culmination of a nearly four-year rivalry fueled by tension and trash talk. Ahead of the bout, Harrison did not hold back, telling Peña she was “bringing out a newer, better version of me,” and boldly calling out Amanda Nunes for future unification right after UFC 316

🏆 Significance and What Comes Next

  • Champion status: Harrison became the UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion in just her third fight with the promotion, improving her MMA record to 19-1

  • Callout of Amanda Nunes: In post-fight, Harrison invited the Lioness to face her next challenge, Nunes appeared open to accepti

  • Weight-cut concerns: Reports indicate Harrison endured a physically grueling drop to 135 pounds, including medical intervention and suspected blood in her urine—prompting questions about her long-term viability at bantamweight

📌 Final Recap

FeatureResultMethod of victorySecond-round kimura submissionTime4:55 of Round 2Title changeNew UFC Women’s Bantamweight ChampionBonus awardPerformance of the NightRecordImproved to 19–1 MMANext challengeOpen call for Amanda Nunes superfight

Conclusion: Kayla Harrison silenced skeptics with a meticulous, dominant performance rooted in elite grappling. She overcame Peña’s toughness, weathered illegal strikes, and finished with submission precision. With the title secured—and a looming clash against Amanda Nunes on the horizon—Harrison’s ascent in women’s MMA looks unstoppable.