‘Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Is Going To Rule’ – Fans & Fighters React To Kayla Harrison Capturing Bantamweight Title At UFC 316

Harrison came out on the front foot, appearing to control the fight and land the stronger shots in the opening minutes. Harrison managed to lock up Pena and pin her against the fence in less than two minutes before managing to take the defending champion down. Harrison worked her way into half guard, while Pena looked to control posture. Pena looked to land punches from up top, but the challenger’s pressure seemed to be too much.

Pena appeared to land respectable shots early in the second round, but she was letting Harrison control the pacing of the fight and letting her come forward. Harrison locked Pena up against the fence again. Pena appeared to do well defending Harrison’s takedown efforts but Harrison managed to get her down halfway through the round. Despite Pena’s efforts to control Harrison’s arms, and to get her legs around Harrison, Harrison managed to bully her to the mat and threatened a neck crank, then an arm-triangle.

Kayla Harrison Becomes UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion By Submitting Julianna Pena

This was Pena’s first defense since winning the title at UFC 307 with a controversial decision over Raquel Pennington. Her first reign started at UFC 269 with a major upset over Amanda Nunes. She’d lose the title back to Nunes at UFC 277.