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UFC contender backs 'dominant' Kayla Harrison to defeat Champion Julianna Peña

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Zain Bando | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 11:51 AM ET

UFC women's bantamweight Ailín Pérez has made her stance clear about the upcoming June 7 UFC 316 co-headliner between UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña and former PFL champion-turned-UFC contender Kayla Harrison.

Pérez, a winner of five of six promotional outings, sees a clear mismatch in favor of Harrison as she gave her prediction in an interview with Hablemos MMA.

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Pérez Picks Harrison To Defeat Peña

"I don't think she'll be able to finish Julianna because (Peña) is a dog, but with zero technique. Nora (Cornolle) is the same," Pérez said via translation. (H/T: MMAJunkie). "They just look to hit hard and are good at taking shots. Kayla is dominant and can bring the fight to the ground. It is a five-round fight and Kayla struggles to make weight, and she hasn't fought five rounds, at least in UFC, so that could test her and bring up a few things. But all in all, I go with the dominant Kayla Harrison."

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Pérez said she agrees with the narrative that Peña may be due for a massive letdown, which could help the UFC's bottom line and potentially skyrocket Harrison as women's MMA's most prominent star.

Is The UFC Hoping For A Divisional Shift?

"The UFC wants there to be activity and for the belt to be defended," Pérez said regarding the UFC's desire for a quick turnaround. "The whole thing of, 'Oh, I got injured ... I don't want to fight ... I want more money' – no, girl. You want to fight, or you want to pretend you like to fight? Many of us want to be champion, so the title always needs to be scheduled for a defense. So no, I'm not surprised that fight was booked. And I also won't be surprised when Kayla Harrison beats Julianna Peña. No one believes in Julianna Peña."

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It remains to be seen how the fight transpires. At press time, Harrison remains a huge favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook at -600, with Peña's comeback at +440.