UFC bantamweight contender and former PFL star Kayla Harrison has continued her dominance in MMA since joining the UFC, and some believe she’s primed to dethrone champion Julianna Peña in the near future.
UFC flyweight Miranda Maverick recently shared her prediction, claiming Harrison’s ground game is all she’ll need to beat Peña, even without strong striking skills.
Maverick appeared on Inside Fighting and confidently gave her thoughts on the potential title fight between Harrison and Peña. “I think Kayla will win,” Maverick said. “I think her striking is, uh, not very good and hasn’t seemed to improve very much over time, but I think she’ll win regardless. I think she’ll get it to the ground, and Peña won’t be getting back up. Um, and yeah, Peña will lose her title if she goes against Kayla. Guaranteed.”
Harrison’s Rise in the UFC
Kayla Harrison has rapidly become one of the most talked-about female fighters in MMA today.
The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist first gained attention through her back-to-back PFL championships and near-perfect record. Her only career loss came in 2022 against Larissa Pacheco at the PFL World Championship.
Since transitioning to the UFC in 2023, Harrison has shown her ability to adapt to a more competitive environment, earning decisive victories over veterans Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira earlier this year. Entering the UFC, Harrison has solidified her position as a top contender at bantamweight, currently ranked No. 2 in the division.
Peña’s Return to Glory
Julianna Peña, earning the nickname “The Venezuelan Vixen,” reclaimed her title earlier this year in October at UFC 307. Peña defeated Raquel Pennington via split decision, securing her standing as the 135-pound queen.
Known for her toughness and improved striking, Peña has claimed victory over some of the top names in the sport, including former double champion Amanda Nunes. However, Peña has remained relatively inactive, only appearing in the Octagon three times since 2021.
Still, Peña’s experience could give her an edge over Harrison, as she’s faced elite-level opponents like Valentina Shevchenko, Germain de Randamie, and Nunes. Although three of those bouts resulted in losses, Peña remains one of the most durable and relentless fighters in the division.
Ground Game Key to Harrison’s Victory?
Despite being relatively new to UFC competition, Harrison’s ground game dominates most of her matchups. According to Maverick, Harrison’s ability to control opponents on the mat will be the deciding factor, even against a resilient fighter like Peña.
As for striking comparisons, Peña could pose the biggest challenge Harrison has seen so far. Peña is known for her evolving boxing skills and willingness to trade punches, while Harrison’s striking has often been critiqued as her weakest attribute.
Title Fight Unconfirmed but Likely
There’s been no official announcement of a title fight between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison, but it seems like the logical next step given Harrison’s meteoric rise through the rankings. However, with Peña’s recent inactivity and the timing of Harrison’s previous bouts, it’s unclear when fans could see this highly anticipated matchup.
Harrison’s professional record stands at an impressive 18-1, while Peña carries significant experience with an 8-3 UFC record. Whether the fight takes place soon or later, the clash between these two fighters would offer an exciting battle between Peña’s grit and Harrison’s elite grappling.
For now, fans will continue to speculate on what could become one of the biggest women’s title fights in 2024.
