Julianna Peña became the two-time women’s bantamweight champion at UFC 307 in October, reclaiming her title in a controversial decision against Raquel Pennington. The rematch elevated Peña's profile in the UFC, but the attention now shifts to her upcoming title defense. On June 7, Peña (12-5) will put her championship on the line at UFC 316. This highly anticipated fight will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where she will face off against Kayla Harrison (18-1) in the co-main event. Despite being the reigning champion, many sportsbooks have listed Peña as a considerable underdog heading into this matchup.
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Peña expressed her determination to prove her critics wrong. "It's just this constant reign of disrespect everywhere I go. That’s okay because nothing brings me more joy than to ruin people's nights," she stated. Peña believes the pressure is on her to silence skeptics and affirm her status as champion. She displayed confidence in her abilities, asserting, "I know what I'm capable of doing... Knowing the work and the mat time that I've put in gives me all the confidence in the world that I could literally fight anybody." Peña is poised and ready, warning Harrison that she is in for a tough fight, "She’s in for a long night at the office."
Kayla Harrison is an Olympic gold medalist in Judo and has maintained a dominant record inside the cage. She is known for her incredible conditioning and competitive nature. However, Peña raised eyebrows regarding Harrison’s physique, questioning whether her success is solely due to natural athleticism. Peña's comments on the drug testing in combat sports added a layer of controversy to their fight buildup. She described the current drug testing landscape as "the Wild, Wild West," citing issues with the integrity of testing protocols. Peña remarked, "Pee in a plastic cup that has absolutely no security on it and do what you gotta do," alluding to the potential for athletes to evade detection.
The reigning champion further claimed, "Eventually, everything you do in the dark comes to the light." This statement underscored her suspicion about the legitimacy of Harrison's achievements. Peña mentioned that since her Olympic days, Harrison's physical appearance has dramatically changed. "Back then, in the Olympics, she looked very feminine. Now she looks super juicy and cut up. It doesn't just happen overnight because you touched the weights a little bit," she commented with skepticism.
Despite these assertions, Peña clarified that she could not definitively accuse Harrison of using performance-enhancing drugs. Yet, she did express hope that Harrison would be clean for their matchup. "I want to say what everybody is thinking...hopefully she cycles off of them before June 7th, makes weight, and pisses clean," she stated. This juxtaposition between their fighting styles, backgrounds, and habitual training might add to the drama of the impending contest.
The fight between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 is set to capture the attention of combat sports fans around the world. With stakes high and tensions rising, both fighters will enter the octagon seeking not just victory but also respect in the sport. Peña, defending her title, faces another fierce competitor in Harrison, as both women aim to solidify their legacies in the UFC. Mark your calendars for June 7 at the Prudential Center, as this event promises to deliver thrilling action and significant implications for the future of the women’s bantamweight division.
