Julianna Pena was submitted by Kayla Harrison in the UFC 316 co-main event last weekend in Newark, losing her women’s bantamweight strap in the process. Harrison is expected to move on to fight former 135-pound titleholder Amanda Nunes at some point later this year, with “Venezuelan Vixen” calling dibs on the winner.
“Thank you to the fans who lifted me with your love and encouragement during this fight camp,” Pena wrote on social media. “I love you all and feel so grateful for all the support and energy you guys give me — it truly means the world!”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get the job done,” Pena continued. “I’m super disappointed but hats off to Kayla on her win! Time to get healed up and get ready for her next fight because I’m calling dibs on the winner!”
The 35 year-old Pena (12-6) was defeated by Nunes at UFC 277 back in summer 2022, then captured the division crown — vacated by “Lioness” in the wake of her brief retirement — by outpointing Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Waiting for the winner of Harrison vs. Nunes will likely put Pena back inside the cage in early 2026.
For more UFC 316 results and highlights click here.
