Kayla Harrison Makes History: New UFC Champion Eyes Showdown with Nunes!

Coconut Creek, Florida, United States - In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Kayla Harrison emerged victorious at UFC 316, clinching the UFC Bantamweight title on June 7, 2025. The event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, showcased her exceptional talent as she submitted former champion Julianna Pena with a kimura in the second round. This victory not only adds another title to her impressive collection but also signals her rising prominence in the sport of mixed martial arts.

Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion, has become a dominant force in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division. As the biggest betting favorite on the card, she delivered on expectations, controlling the fight and forcing Pena to tap out just before the second round concluded. With this win, her professional MMA record now stands at an impressive 3-0, including two victories by submission. After the fight, she returned to her gym, American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, where her teammates including Alexandre Pantoja and Dustin Poirier celebrated her accomplishment. Sadly, former teammate Amanda Nunes was noticeably absent.

A Weighty Challenge

What makes Harrison’s title win even more impressive is the challenge of her weight cut. In her post-fight interview, she admitted to grappling with the difficulties of cutting down to 135 lbs, expressing moments when she felt like quitting. Yet, she persevered, showing not only her physical strength but also her mental toughness. Photos from her weight cut have surfaced, illustrating the struggles this elite athlete faced in preparation for the fight.

Her journey to this championship has been a remarkable one. Not only is Harrison the first female fighter to hold an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship, but she has also faced significant personal challenges along the way. From overcoming the trauma of reported abuse in her youth to her transition into professional fighting, her life story is as compelling as her athletic prowess.

A Showdown with Nunes

The excitement doesn’t stop with her recent victory. Following her match, Harrison wasted no time in inviting Amanda Nunes into the Octagon, setting the stage for an anticipated superfight between them. Nunes, a soon-to-be Hall of Famer, confirmed her return from retirement, indicating her readiness to face Harrison. The two fighters acknowledged one another, discussing their shared ambitions within the sport and the legacies they are both building.

As of now, Harrison’s portrait will soon grace the walls of American Top Team alongside her previous championships, a testament to her hard work and dedication. Her status as a role model in mixed martial arts is further cemented, inspiring others with her journey from a young judoka in Middletown, Ohio, to a fierce competitor in the UFC.

Looking ahead, the MMA community is buzzing with anticipation for what lies next for Harrison. With Nunes back in the fight game and their eventual showdown on the horizon, fans can expect a thrilling clash that promises to shape the future of women’s MMA.

To read more about Kayla Harrison’s title win and her journey, check out full coverage from MMA Mania, highlights from CBS Sports, and her detailed biography on Wikipedia.