On Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey, Kayla Harrison became the new UFC bantamweight champion after defeating Julianna Pena via a second-round submission.
After the fight, Harrison called for the retired former two-division UFC champion, Amanda Nunes to enter the cage and have a face-off with her, saying, “This is the next fight.”
🚨 KAYLA HARRISON AND AMANDA NUNES FACE OFF 👀🔥 #UFC316pic.twitter.com/xVtqjSzNOd
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 8, 2025
Nunes confirmed the news, saying she’s coming out of retirement to fight Harrison, despite their American Top Team ties.
Here’s what MMA Twitter and UFC fighters thought of the match-up.
Truly an inspiration to all of us @AmericanTopTeam @KaylaH
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) June 8, 2025
Kayla knows how to set up a fight! #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
Harrison vs Nunes. BOOK IT! #UFC316
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 8, 2025
Do I want to see Nunes vs Harrison? Yes. Does the division need it? Totally. Does a part of me wish Nunes would stay retired and enjoy her life after going out on top? Definitely. I’m torn. But sure let’s do it.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 8, 2025
FUCK YEAH. BIG FIGHT FEELS. #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/vmqMpRDwYY
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 8, 2025
No timeline for the fight has been announced, but neither woman is the type to drag their feet. We’ll update with more details when the fight is officially announced.
