For the third year in a row, Dana White has hosted a PPV event in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the co-main event of the star-studded card, Julianna Pena picked up a controversial split decision victory over Raquel Pennington. Fans and MMA pundits expected Pena to call out the surging contender Kayla Harrison. However, the newly minted 135lbs queen chose to reignite her feud with retired Amanda Nunes.
An athlete of Kayla Harrison’s caliber was expected to challenge for the title in the UFC. The Olympic gold medalist remains unbeaten in two of her octagon outings. The trash-talk between Harrison and Pena was stellar during the UFC 307 fight week. As such, the callout to Nunes surprised everyone, including Harrison, as Pena decided on a trilogy fight rather than a fresh matchup.
What I really like is for Amanda Nunes is to quit ducking and comeback inside this octagon. Let’s settle it. We are one and one. That would be the greatest fight in the mixed martial arts history in the bantamweight division the sport has ever seen.
Julianna Pena Via UFC 307 Octagon Interview
Unsurprisingly, Nunes has now offered her reaction to the call out with an Instagram post. She tagged UFC CEO Dana White, teasing her return, and gestured at him to call her. A trilogy matchup between Pena and Nunes only happens if the UFC wants it to happen. Julianna Pena has campaigned for the trilogy since 2023, and she will get her wish fulfilled if Dana White gives the green light.
Nunes called it a career in 2023 after beating Irene Aldana. She is currently enjoying retirement with her wife and two children. Nevertheless, Harrison might be next for the new champion rather than Nunes. Amid a tough training camp, Harrison prevailed over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307. With the win, Harrison has asked the UFC boss to grant her the title shot.
Kayla Harrison asks Dana White to give her the title shot next
The budding rivalry between Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison might draw to its conclusion with a title fight in 2025. Harrison, who has been only doing MMA for the past six years, has made a name for herself in PFL. Now, she brings her fighting prowess to UFC to enrich her legacy. However, the ‘Venezuelan Vixen’ feels her rival has only beaten ‘Tomato Cans’ thus far.
After UFC 307, Pena vs. Harrison is the clear fight to make. Even then, the new champion mocked Harrison for not performing dominantly against Ketlen Vieira. Meanwhile, Harrison asked for the title shot since no other contender can make a case for the same.
I think Ketlen’s the No. 2 girl in the world. She might actually be better than some of the girls (Pena and Pennington) who are about to fight right now. So, yeah. I think I’m ready for the title. I’m ready for the title.
Kayla Harrison via UFC 307 post-fight presser
Kayla Harrison wants to get the title shot next pic.twitter.com/d35TxCFmgQ
— calfkicker (@calfkickercom) October 9, 2024
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Kayla Harrison disagrees with the decision between Julianna Pena and Raquel Pennington. pic.twitter.com/QyuG7RBAGz
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) October 9, 2024
Kayla Harrison reacts to Julianna Peña’s split decision win over Raquel Pennington at #UFC307:
-Advertisement-“I also had it going Raquel’s way. … No [I wasn’t impressed by Julianna].”
(🎥: @DamonMartin) pic.twitter.com/sVNP3mm0WS
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 8, 2024
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Moreover, the Olympic gold medalist also didn’t think Pena won the five-round title bout against Raquel Pennington. Many fighters and fans also thought Pennington had done enough to retain the bantamweight title. However, the judges didn’t see it that way. Harrison dissing Pena has added a new layer to the rivalry. Some heated trash talks are guaranteed once the UFC announces the fight.
