Kayla Harrison solidified her status as a top-tier force in the UFC women’s bantamweight division by capturing the title with a dominant second-round submission over Julianna Peña at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025. Harrison imposed her grappling game from the opening bell, landing takedowns and controlling Peña on the mat. A brief interruption in Round 1 due to illegal upkicks didn’t slow Harrison’s momentum. In Round 2, she effortlessly advanced position before locking in a tight kimura, forcing the tap with five seconds left in the round. The performance earned her a “Performance of the Night” bonus and elevated her professional record to 19–1.

With this impressive title-winning effort, the most logical and compelling next step for Kayla Harrison is a blockbuster showdown with former two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes, who retired in 2023 after defending her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana, remains widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in MMA history. Her resume includes dominant wins over legends like Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, and Holly Holm.

A Harrison vs. Nunes superfight would be one of the biggest matchups in women’s MMA history, pitting the reigning bantamweight champion and Olympic gold medalist against the sport’s most decorated champion. Stylistically, it’s a clash of elite grappling and physicality. For Nunes, it would be a chance to return and reclaim her crown against a new generation. For Harrison, it’s a legacy-defining opportunity to dethrone a legend. With the UFC women’s divisions in flux and fans clamoring for a defining moment, this is the fight to make in late 2025 or early 2026.

Last Five Fights – Kayla Harrison:

1. Win over Julianna Peña – Submission (kimura), UFC 316 (June 7, 2025)
2. Win over Ketlen Vieira – Decision (unanimous), UFC 307 (October 5, 2024)
3. Win over Holly Holm – Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 300 (April 13, 2024)
4. Win over Aspen Ladd – Decision (unanimous), PFL 10 (2023) (November 24, 2023)
5. Loss to Larissa Pacheco – Decision (unanimous), PFL 10 (2022) (November 25, 2022)

Last Five Fights – Amanda Nunes:

1. Win over Irene Aldana – Decision (unanimous), UFC 289 (June 10, 2023)
2. Win over Julianna Peña – Decision (unanimous), UFC 277 (July 30, 2022)
3. Loss to Julianna Peña – Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 269 (December 11, 2021)
4. Win over Megan Anderson – Submission (reverse triangle armbar), UFC 259 (March 6, 2021)
5. Win over Felicia Spencer – Decision (unanimous), UFC 250 (June 6, 2020)