After UFC 316, Kayla Harrison sees a title fight vs. Amanda Nunes as one for the history books.
UFC 316: Kayla Harrison post-fight interview
UFC 316 winner Kayla Harrison spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after her women’s bantamweight title victory over Julianna Peña.
NEWARK, N.J. – Kayla Harrison sees her next UFC championship fight as one for the history books.
Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who claimed the UFC women’s bantamweight title this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 316, is expected to face all-time great Amanda Nunes in her first title defense. There’s no date or event, but the two faced off in the middle of the octagon and expressed their interest in fighting each other, something the promotion is very much keen on putting together.
“Listen, I’m going to give Amanda as much time to prepare, I want her to be the best her,” Harrison said at the UFC 316 post-fight press conference. “I’m going to be the best me, and we’re going to go in there and make absolute magic in the UFC women’s division. We’re going to break some records and make some history. We’re both going to make a lot of money doing it, and we’re going to bring women’s MMA to a whole new level.”
Harrison is a two-time PFL champion and won two gold Olympic medals representing the U.S. in judo. She’s one of the most dominant forces MMA has seen in recent years. On the other hand, Nunes is a former UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion. She’s regarded as the greatest of all time, and retired from the sport in 2023 after dominating for years. A fight between the two would be one of the biggest fights in women’s MMA history.
As fas as Saturday’s feat, Harrison is over the moon to finally get her hands on a UFC title. She expected to go the distance against Julianna Peña (13-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC), but instead was able to finish the fight in the second round.
“I prepared, expected and spent a lot of time visualizing 25 minutes just because Julianna is a tough son of a gun and a fighter through and through,” Harrison said. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. There were even moments in the first round where I wanted to kind of unleash, but I thought, ’25 minutes is 25 minutes. Let’s be smart in here.’ In the second round I heard the clapper. I was in a strong position in the kimura grip – and this is a move we drill quite a bit. I go from kimura to north-south and crucifix, and we go over and over it again – so I head the clapper and I gave it a little yank to see what happens. Next thing I know, he’s pulling me off. I didn’t even feel her tap, so I was like, ‘Oh, wow. I’m UFC champion.'”
