The countdown to UFC 316 is officially underway, and the stakes have never been higher. In one of the most electrifying title bouts of the year, Kayla Harrison is all set to clash with Julianna Peña for the bantamweight crown. As fight night draws near, both warriors are deep in preparation. However, there’s a massive hurdle that Harrison has to get over, as revealed by her coach, Mike Brown. The 34-year-old two-time Olympic Gold medalist needs to cut a massive amount of weight before she steps inside the Octagon.
Former PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison is never one to shy away from challenges. However, cutting weight is without a doubt one of the biggest challenges for her. Harrison’s natural walk-around weight is around 165-170 pounds, and for most of her career, she has fought in the 155-pound division. However, since her move to the UFC, she has dropped down to the 135-pound division, which makes it hard for her. Before her fight at UFC 316, while speaking to Ariel Helwani, she said, “It’s torture.” She further added, “But everything I’ve wanted is on the other side of that torture. I feel like I have become refined in the fire.”
Her coach, Mike Brown, also addressed the problem while speaking on the MMAFightingonSBN show. However, he is confident that with the kind of work ethic Harrison has, she can pull this off. While speaking to Damon Martin, Brown said, “It’s not easy for her, she’s got to put a lot of work in. She’s, you know, working. I mean, she will do whatever it takes. She is as committed as any athlete comes. And I mean, I think one of the biggest hurdles for her is the weight. But she’s willing to do whatever it takes to be the best you know.”
Both fighters are deep in the trenches of training camp, pushing their bodies to the limit and sharpening their minds for war. As the date draws closer, they’re studying each other closely, searching for weaknesses, and crafting game plans designed to dismantle the other when the cage door closes.
Both fighters enter the Octagon with distinct physical attributes that could play a key role in how this clash unfolds. Peña stands at 5’7” with a 69-inch reach, operating from a traditional orthodox stance. “Doug” is slightly taller at 5’8”, but has a shorter 66-inch reach and fights from a southpaw position. These contrasting styles and dimensions only add another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes showdown. But Harrison feels that more than the physical difference, it’s her ‘game plan’ that will create the difference.
Kayla Harrison is confident of becoming the UFC bantamweight champion at UFC 316
Kayla Harrison believes that Julianna Peña’s only path to victory lies in turning the fight into pure chaos. In a blunt assessment of her opponent’s strategy, the undefeated title challenger suggested that if Peña hopes to win, she’ll need to throw technique out the window. The champion should rely on sheer grit and unpredictability. Harrison isn’t losing sleep over Julianna Peña’s recent title win. With two Olympic gold medals in judo, a pair of PFL championships, and an impressive 18-1 record, “Doug” sees herself as the more composed and disciplined fighter. In her view, it’s not emotion or hype that wins championships.
Its structure, strategy, and deep-rooted competitive edge are built through years of elite-level experience. During her interview with ESPN MMA, she said, “My fight IQ, my coaches, my team—we have a plan. And I’m going to go out there and implement the game plan and stick to it and be smart and become UFC champion.” Julianna Peña, however, is not the type of fighter who gets easily intimidated. Known for her grit and relentless toughness, “The Venezuelan Vixen” has built a reputation as a fighter who embraces the storm. With a professional record of 12 wins and 5 losses, Julianna Peña often finds her rhythm in the chaos, thriving in messy, high-pressure exchanges where others might falter.
Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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