Julianna Pena News
Amanda Nunes says Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison will be closer than you think
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 6, 2025
Amanda Nunes has made a prediction for the big women’s bantamweight title fight at UFC 316 this Saturday. Julianna Pena will look to silence the doubters once again, as she will put her gold at stake against Kayla Harrison. The challenger is a massive betting favorite going into the title bout. Pena has been in this spot before, as she submitted Nunes in a shocking upset in late 2021. While Pena lost the rematch against “The Lioness” in a one-sided affair, “The Venezuelan Vixen” has proven to be a live underdog.
UFC 316 weigh-in results: Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley hit targets, one fighter misses weight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 6, 2025
The UFC 316 weigh-ins have concluded, and fans are happy to know that the marquee matches remain intact. On Friday, all competitors scheduled for the UFC 316 card in Newark tipped the scales. That includes the UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, who was actually one pound under the championship limit at 134 pounds. His rematch with Sean O’Malley is official, as the “Suga” show also made weight, clocking in at 135 pounds.
UFC 316 | Pro fighters make their picks for Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison title fight
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, the women’s bantamweight title is up for grabs as Julianna Pena defends her belt against Kayla Harrison. Heading into the fight, Pena is a massive +450 underdog while the challenger is a -720 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC 316, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the women’s bantamweight title fight. The pros expect Harrison to become the new champ, but many fighters think it will be a much closer fight than the odds suggest.
Julianna Pena thinks you won't respect her regardless of UFC 316 outcome
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2025
Julianna Pena believes she won’t be given respect if she defeats Kayla Harrison at UFC 316. Pena is set to put the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at stake against Harrison on Saturday. The title fight will be held inside the Prudential Center in Newark. Pena is in her second reign as the 135-pound titleholder and she’s looking for her first successful title defense.
Kayla Harrison responds to latest trash talk from UFC 316 rival Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2025
Kayla Harrison has given her thoughts on the trash talk being thrown her way from UFC 316 opponent Julianna Pena. On Saturday night, Kayla Harrison will finally get her shot at winning UFC gold. She will challenge for the women’s bantamweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 316, and she’ll do so against Julianna Pena – someone who has had more than a few things to say about her recently.
UFC 316 commentator warns fans not to overlook Julianna Pena in title defense against Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2025
If you don’t think Julianna Pena has a chance at UFC 316, one top commentator strongly disagrees. Pena will be putting the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at stake against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 316. The title fight will be held inside Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday. Pena is a sizable underdog going into the bout, which is a familiar spot for “The Venezuelan Vixen.” She was a massive underdog before scoring a submission finish over soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes.
'Petty' Kayla Harrison will 'smash' Julianna Pena's face at UFC 316, says manager
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
Kayla Harrison’s manager believes Julianna Pena is in for a rough night at UFC 316. Harrison is scheduled to challenge Pena for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in the co-main event of UFC 316 on June 7. It’ll be Harrison’s first crack at UFC gold. Pena will look for her first successful title defense in her second reign.
UFC champion Julianna Pena accuses Kayla Harrison of using steroids
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025
UFC champion Julianna Pena has accused Kayla Harrison of using steroids as the countdown to their UFC 316 fight continues. As we know, Julianna Pena is a pretty controversial figure when it comes to MMA fans. While she’s a two-time bantamweight world champion in the UFC, she has a tendency to rattle people with some of the comments she makes. It’s often because she’s trying to get under the skin of her opponents, and that’s certainly the case with her upcoming UFC 316 clash with Kayla Harrison.
Kayla Harrison wants to respect UFC 316 foe Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
UFC star Kayla Harrison has admitted that she wants to be able to respect her upcoming UFC 316 opponent Julianna Pena. At UFC 316 later this year, Kayla Harrison will attempt to become a UFC world champion. She’ll do so by locking horns with Julianna Pena, a woman who she’s been linked with fighting for a long time now. When you take a look at the current state of women’s mixed martial arts, you could probably argue that this is one of the most intriguing – and certainly important – fights that can be made right now.
Miesha Tate previews potential future UFC title fight against longtime friend Julianna Pena: "She is always game"
Josh Evanoff - March 26, 2025
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is willing to fight Julianna Pena for a world title. ‘Cupcake’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Julia Avila in December 2023. That night at UFC Austin saw Miesha Tate turn back the clock, dominating ‘Raging Panda’ en route to a third-round submission win. Over a year on from that win, the 38-year-old former champion is finally set to return. At UFC Des Moines in May, Tate will meet former title challenger Yana Santos.
UFC champion Julianna Pena lashes out at doubters ahead of Kayla Harrison fight: "I'm not going to stop"
Josh Evanoff - March 4, 2025
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena doesn’t care about the odds ahead of her fight against Kayla Harrison. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of the cage since her title fight against Raquel Pennington last October. In the co-main event of UFC 307, Julianna Pena ended a two-year layoff to hand ‘Rocky’ a split-decision loss. In the process, she re-won the same gold she lost to Amanda Nunes in their rematch.
Norma Dumont interested in facing Kayla Harrison for interim title if Julianna Pena is injured: "We can do this"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025
If Julianna Pena can’t fight, Norma Dumont wants to face Kayla Harrison for interim UFC gold. The UFC’s women’s bantamweight division is in a bit of a weird spot. Amanda Nunes famously vacated the gold in the summer of 2023, retiring following a decision win over Irene Aldana. A few months later, Raquel Pennington claimed the gold with a unanimous decision victory over Mayra Bueno Silva, in a dismal bout.
Chael Sonnen explains why Raquel Pennington, not Kayla Harrison, should be next for newly minted UFC champion Julianna Peña
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Raquel Pennington has earned the right to receive an immediate rematch against Julianna Pena. Last weekend, Raquel Pennington put up a great fight against Julianna Pena at UFC 307. She was defending her UFC women’s bantamweight championship but unfortunately, in the eyes of the judges, she didn’t quite do enough to get over the finish line.
What's next for the stars of UFC 307?
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2024
The UFC was in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday for a solid UFC 307 card that saw two titles on the line. In the main event, Alex Pereira was looking to defend his light heavyweight title for the third time in 2024 as he took on Khalil Rountree. In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title for the first time against Julianna Pena.
Kayla Harrison reacts to Julianna Peña's dismissal in UFC 307 post-fight callout
Curtis Calhoun - October 7, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison believes her absence from Julianna Peña’s post-fight callout at UFC 307 was calculated. Harrison and Peña both secured wins at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City. The former PFL champion Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision, while Peña earned a narrowly-decided win over Raquel Pennington to reclaim the UFC women’s bantamweight title.
Daniel Cormier scolds Julianna Pena for not building Kayla Harrison fight during UFC 307 post-fight interview
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2024
Daniel Cormier believes Julianna Pena missed out on a big opportunity after striking gold a second time at UFC 307. Pena challenged Raquel Pennington for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship over the weekend. She ended up becoming a two-time 135-pound titleholder via controversial split decision.
Chael Sonnen praises Julianna Pena for 'troll job' during UFC 307 post-fight interview
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 6, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes Julianna Pena knew what she was doing by ignoring Kayla Harrison post-UFC 307. Pena stepped inside the Octagon to challenge Raquel Pennington for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in Salt Lake City. Despite a two-year layoff, Pena was able to snatch a split decision victory. She is now a two-time women’s bantamweight titleholder.
Julianna Peña shares her thoughts on Kayla Harrison’s performance at UFC 307: “Not impressed”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 6, 2024
Julianna Pena is downplaying Kayla Harrison’s performance at UFC 307. Pena and Harrison both competed on the same card in Salt Lake City this past Saturday. Pena was in the co-main event competing for championship gold. Harrison went one-on-one with Ketlen Vieira. Pena captured the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship a second time, while Harrison earned a unanimous decision over Vieira.