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Julianna Peña Eyes Trilogy with Amanda Nunes, Rematch with Kayla Harrison

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 10:50 PM ET

Former UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña isn’t ready to give up on her dream of holding gold again. After losing her title to Kayla Harrison by submission at UFC 316 in June, Peña has her eyes set on another crack at the belt ideally against the winner of Harrison’s upcoming showdown with Amanda Nunes.

Peña’s Preferred Opponent

Asked whether she’d rather complete a trilogy with Nunes or seek revenge against Harrison, Peña gave a diplomatic but clear answer.

“I think a trilogy with Amanda would be the best case scenario just because we have shared so much time inside the octagon,” Peña told The Ariel Helwani Show. “But then I would also love to fight Kayla again because I know that I can beat her.”

The former champ admitted her recent struggles with injuries hindered her preparation for Harrison, but she believes a fully healthy training camp would make all the difference.

“If I could get into a fight camp healthy with having all of these injuries healed, I can beat her. I know I can.”

Julianna Peña is joining the broadcast team for Real American Freestyle.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/5Fp3fMALmo

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 17, 2025

History with Nunes

Peña (13-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) stunned the world in December 2021 when she submitted Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) at UFC 269 in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Nunes, however, evened the score in their rematch at UFC 277, dominating en route to a unanimous decision. A third fight between them would decide one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s MMA.

The State of the Division

At 135 pounds, the division is in transition. Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) claimed the title in her UFC debut and is now slated to defend against the returning Nunes. With few obvious challengers, Peña believes she’s uniquely positioned to step back into the title picture.

“I haven’t seen anybody else say that they want to fight Amanda or Kayla except me,” Peña said. “I’m willing to fight either one of them. If I could jump right into an immediate rematch with either one of them, I think that would be the best-case scenario.”

Prediction for Harrison vs. Nunes

Peña also weighed in on the highly anticipated matchup between Harrison and Nunes.

“My head says Amanda, and my heart says Kayla, so I don’t know. May the best woman win. I don’t have anything personally against either one of them.”

What’s Next?

Whether the UFC grants Peña an immediate shot or asks her to earn her way back, her willingness to fight either champion keeps her in the conversation. With her resume, rivalry history, and star power, “The Venezuelan Vixen” remains a strong option to headline a marquee bantamweight fight in 2026.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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