Yardbarker
x

Harrison Submits Pena To Become UFC Bantamweight Champ

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com  |  Last updated Jun 8, 2025 2:02 AM ET

Kayla Harrison became the UFC Bantamweight Champion, as she submitted Julianna Pena in the first round.

Pena won the belt after beating Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in her last fight. It was the perfect response following her loss to Amanda Nunes, who would then announce her retirement. Pennington only had one loss in her last four bouts, but Harrison was on the rise.

Kayla signed with the UFC following her PFL departure. She secured her first win at UFC 300, beating the former bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Harrison followed it up with a win against Ketlen Vieira. Harrison has now added the biggest name on her resume. Kayla is now in a position to fight Amanda Nunes, who has said she wants the winner. Here is how the fight played out.

Live Updates

https://twitter.com/BoxingNews/status/1931564187437637795

https://twitter.com/BoxingNews/status/1931565559063122420

https://twitter.com/BoxingNews/status/1931566362788237570

Full Card

Merab Dvalishvili beat Sean O’Malley in a third-round submission for the UFC bantamweight title

Kayla Harrison beat Julianna Pena (c) via kimura for the UFC bantamweight title (4:55 into round two)

Joe Pyfer beat Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)

Mario Bautista beat Patchy Mix via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Kevin Holland beat Vicente Luque via D’Arce Choke (1:03 into round two)

Joshua Van beat Bruno Gustavo da Silva via TKO (4:01 into round three)

Azamat Murzakanov beat Brendson Ribeiro via TKO (3:25 into round one)

Waldo Cortes-Acosta beat Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Andreas Gustafsson beat Khaos Williams via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–26)

Prelims

Wang Cong beat Ariane da Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Yoo Joo-sang beat Jeka Saragih via KO (0:28 into round one)

Quillan Salkilld beat Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

MarQuel Mederos beat Mark Choinski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.