Pros respond after UFC 316 at Kayla Harrison Dethrones Julianna Pena

Tonight’s UFC 316 event was co-headlined by the women’s bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Juliana Pena.

Pena (12-6 MMA) recaptured the promotional bantamweight title in her past efforts at UFC 307 this October, recording a controversial split decision victory over Raquel Pennington. Previously, “Venezuela Vixen” suffered a decision loss biased towards Amanda Nunes at UFC 277.

Meanwhile, Kera Harrison (19-1 MMA) was most seen previously in the UFC 307 octagon in Utah, earning a unanimous decision victory over Ketren Vieira. The former PFL champion has gone 2-0 under the UFC banner since joining the promotion ranks in April 2024.

Tonight’s UFC 316 Co-Main event brought a dominant performance from Kayla Harrison’s Now New Champion. The former two-time Olympic gold medalist was able to overwhelm Julian Na Pena on the canvas in both opening rounds. Following the impressive victory, Harrison called out Amanda Nunez to try and enter the cage for a showdown. That battle is likely to happen next, and certainly will be a much-anticipated showdown.

Official UFC 316 Results: Kayla Harrison def. Julian Napena via submitting at 4:55 in Round 2 (Kimura)

Check out how the pros responded to the “Penna vs Harrison” below.

Let’s go now @kaylah @ufc
-Paigevanzant (@paigevanzant) June 8, 2025

One of the best hype fights of the year!
Let’s go now @kaylah. ⭐⭐️🙏 #ufc316
– Cody Durden (@cody_durden) June 8, 2025

But that’s a good phone. It was too many illegal strikes. #ufc316
– Alanjouban (@Alanjouban) June 8, 2025

We talked a lot. Let’s see what these girls have tonight #ufc316
– Raquel Pennington (@Rockypmma) June 8, 2025

Female MMA…
-Al laiaquinta🗽 (@aliaquinta) June 8, 2025

Post-war reaction to Kayla Harrison, who defeated Julianna Pena at UFC 316:

congratulations @kaylah #andnew #ufc316
– Gilbert Barnes Durinho (@gilbertduirinho) June 8, 2025

And new!!! @kaylah Olympic gold medalists X2, and the indisputable UFC women’s bantamweight champion! #ufc316
– Cody Durden (@cody_durden) June 8, 2025