Julianna Peña had the possibility to start out selling her subsequent title protection after reclaiming the bantamweight title at UFC 307, however as a substitute turned her consideration to an unlikely rematch in opposition to a fighter who’s presently retired.
Following a controversial win over Raquel Pennington within the UFC 307 co-main occasion, Peña was requested about what’s subsequent for her and a cut up display confirmed Kayla Harrison backstage ready to react after she defeated Ketlen Vieira earlier within the evening to earn a title shot. Slightly than acknowledge Harrison, who the UFC is clearly naming because the No. 1 contender, Peña requested for a trilogy in opposition to Amanda Nunes, who referred to as it a profession again in June 2023.
“I’ll say this — she dropped the ball on the callout,” UFC Corridor of Famer Daniel Cormier stated when addressing Peña after UFC 307 ended. “I imply Kayla’s on the display. Say her title. Why no promote the person who is clearly going to be your No. 1 contender?
“There isn’t any world the place she doesn’t struggle Kayla Harrison. She’s combating her subsequent. You would possibly as nicely put the promote on it.”
Harrison moved to 2-0 within the UFC with a unanimous resolution win over Vieira within the opening bout on the primary card on Saturday. Whereas not as dominant as her debut efficiency in opposition to former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300, Harrison nonetheless delivered a win in opposition to one of many UFC’s top-ranked challengers to cement her spot because the rightful title challenger at 135 kilos.
Throughout the broadcast, Harrison might solely shake her head in disappointment as Peña referred to as for the Nunes struggle regardless of UFC shade commentator Joe Rogan particularly mentioning the two-time Olympic gold medalist as her more than likely subsequent opponent.
Cormier believes Peña ought to have began constructing in the direction of that struggle now somewhat than ready as a result of there’s virtually no world the place Harrison isn’t her subsequent opponent.
“Don’t wait till the struggle is introduced,” Cormier stated. “Now you’re a step behind if you had the chance to be a step forward going into your struggle with Kayla Harrison, who would be the No. 1 contender on your championship as we go ahead.
“Tonight, it’s not like Kayla Harrison regarded one of the best. Kayla’s regarded higher. Tonight she regarded like a lady that should get takedowns and if she doesn’t, she remains to be within the very early phases of her putting. Julianna Peña ought to’ve after this efficiency been extra keen to say her title.”
Whereas he wasn’t a fan of her callout, Cormier did supply congratulations to Peña on changing into a two-time champion along with her win over Pennington.
As a lot because the scorecards got here into query after the struggle, Cormier nonetheless praised Peña for placing on a gutsy efficiency and bringing a title again to the identical gymnasium that UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad calls house.
“The one factor you possibly can by no means query about Julianna Pena is her toughness,” Cormier stated. “She will probably be a deserving champion.
“On the finish of the day, she turns into the champion once more and Mike Valle and his group out at Valle Move now have two UFC champions on their roster. Huge for a gymnasium that’s out of Chicago that isn’t a large, large gymnasium.”
