Kayla Harrison Submits Julianna Peña to Win UFC Title
Kayla Harrison submitted Julianna Peña with a kimura at 4:55 of Round 2 at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, winning the UFC women’s bantamweight championship at Prudential Center in Newark.
Harrison secures the kimura
Harrison used her judo and top control to take Peña down and work toward a finish. After controlling much of the opening round, she secured the kimura late in the second and forced the tap. The result made Harrison a UFC champion and ended Peña’s reign.
A new bantamweight champion
The fight had been promoted as a matchup between the champion’s experience and Harrison’s Olympic judo background. The outcome came by submission, with Harrison winning the belt before Amanda Nunes entered the Octagon to face her.
Harrison arrived in the UFC after winning two Olympic gold medals in judo and becoming a two-time PFL champion. Peña had taken the bantamweight title from Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 and reclaimed it in their rematch. Harrison’s grappling gave her a clear path to victory, and the kimura completed her rise to UFC champion.
Related reporting and sources: fighters · Amanda Nunes · (via ESPN) · MMA · (via UFC.com) · ESPN · UFC · UFC · MMA
