Kayla Harrison has conflicting feelings about her upcoming opponent, UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña.
UFC 316 is set to be an exciting event, with both division titles on the line on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to the headline fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, Harrison will be facing off against Peña in the co-main event. The two fighters have had some interactions since UFC 307 in October 2024, where they both secured significant victories. Their verbal exchanges at the pre-fight press conference hinted at the intensity of their upcoming battle.
Harrison recently shared her thoughts on Peña during an appearance on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” She expressed the challenges she faces in liking the champion, citing Peña’s confidence, experience, and at times, what she perceives as cockiness.
“We’ll see how tough she really is,” Harrison commented. “While I respect Julianna’s journey to the top, her confidence, and her outspoken nature, there are moments where I find it hard to fully admire her. She reminds me of Henry Cejudo in some ways – trying too hard, coming off as cheesy and cringe-worthy.”
Although Harrison was hoping for a fight at UFC 314 in Miami, the announcement of her title match against Peña in June came at the right time. The 34-year-old athlete, a two-time PFL lightweight champion, aims to solidify her position as one of the greatest female fighters in history.
Despite the absence of Amanda Nunes, who retired in 2023, Harrison still hopes to face the former champion in the future. Winning the belt and defending it are key goals for Harrison, with the ultimate aim of proving herself as the best female fighter of all time.
The strained friendship between Harrison and Nunes following Harrison’s success in MMA has not deterred Harrison from wanting to face Nunes in the octagon. She views a potential fight with Nunes as a mark of respect and admiration for the former champion.
Looking ahead to her fight with Peña, Harrison exudes confidence while acknowledging her opponent’s strengths. She plans to dominate the fight and believes that her strategic approach will lead her to victory.