MMA
Exclusive: Julianna Peña ready to stop Kayla Harrison at UFC 316
Watch UFC 316 on DAZN PPV in Canada
Juliana Peña (13-5) will face former PFL star Kayla Harrison (18-1) in UFC 316's co-main event for the UFC women's bantamweight belt.
Harrison has only suffered defeat once in her professional career, in 2022 against Larissa Pacheco. Peña praised Harrison's career in an interview with DAZN News .
"I think that my opponent is very big and strong," Peña said. "She's very good at judo, and she is definitely a worthy adversary. Does she have the experience to fight for the title? Absolutely. I mean, she's won two gold medals in the Olympics. If anybody has the least amount of experience in combat sports, I think it would be me."
But the champion is determined to defend her belt and is convinced that she will win on June 7. Her objective is clear: to win before the decision.
"I'm going to win,"Peña said. "I am going to get my hand raised. I'm going to enforce my will upon her and eventually wear her out. I'm looking for a submission victory. I'm saying round four, but maybe it'll come sooner."
The two fighters have already crossed paths in their first face-off. For Peña, it's a chance to get a first glimpse of her opponent.
"It was great for me," she said. "I feel great about it. When I'm looking into her eyes, I'm seeing everything that I need to see. And for me, I walked away feeling really good about that face-off."
