Julianna Peña is no stranger to fighting with the odds stacked against her, and at UFC 316, she’s stepping into the octagon once again with fire in her eyes, a championship belt on the line, and a chip on her shoulder.
The women’s bantamweight champion is set to defend her title in a high-stakes bout against UFC newcomer and Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. The co-main event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., is one of the most talked-about matchups of the year—and for good reason.
A Battle of Belief: Peña vs. Harrison
Julianna Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) knows what it’s like to be underestimated. She shocked the world in 2021 by defeating Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in MMA history. And yet, even now in her second reign as bantamweight champ, she feels the respect is missing.
“Beating the greatest of all time didn’t get me respect,” Peña said. “So I know beating Kayla Harrison probably won’t change minds either. But that’s never stopped me before.”
Meanwhile, Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and former PFL champion, is entering the UFC title picture with tremendous hype—and some trash talk to match.
“She said I’m living in a delusion, that the media gave me false hope,” Peña responded. “I took that personally—and she’ll see why on fight night.”
Underdog Energy: Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain
Despite being the reigning champion, Julianna Peña is a 6-to-1 underdog heading into UFC 316. To many, that seems insulting. But to Peña, it’s fuel.
“When everyone expects you to lose, there’s freedom in that,” she said. “There’s no pressure. I’ve got everything to gain.”
Peña has made it clear—being the underdog doesn’t bother her. From her Ultimate Fighter days to the world title, she’s always had to claw for respect. And this fight, she says, is no different.
Fighting Spirit and Strategy
Don’t let the odds fool you. Julianna Peña is coming prepared. For this camp, she hired Max Schneider, a former training partner of Harrison, to help fine-tune her anti-judo strategy. Peña also boasts a healthy frame, a smoother weight cut, and solid stats—a 3-inch reach advantage and a two-inch leg reach lead.
“She’s used to fighting at 155, but this is a whole new level,” Peña said. “I see this ending in a submission, but I’m always ready for a knockout too.”
Both fighters are elite grapplers—Peña has six submission wins, Harrison has seven. But this time, the fight will test who can go the distance, as it’s Harrison’s first five-rounder at bantamweight.
The Mindset of a Champion
“I fight scarier people in the gym for free every day,” Peña laughed. But behind the humor is the heart of a warrior.
Whether it’s Amanda Nunes, Raquel Pennington, or now Kayla Harrison, Julianna Peña shows up when it counts. She’s proven that time and time again.
“No one remembers a safe champion,” Peña said. “I fight to finish, to dominate, and to surprise people. And nothing brings me more joy than ruining people’s nights.”
Will UFC 316 Finally Bring Julianna Peña the Respect She Deserves?
Only time will tell if Julianna Peña’s relentless grit and submission savvy will silence her doubters once more. But if history is any guide, never count her out—especially when the world already has.
UFC 316: Peña vs. Harrison airs this Saturday on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View. Don’t miss what could be the most dramatic women’s title fight of the year.