Kayla Harrison has now minted herself as the brand new undisputed bantamweight champion tonight within the co-main occasion of UFC 316, submitting incumbent gold holder, Julianna Pena with a late second spherical kimura end within the pair’s grudge match in New Jersey.
Harrison, who’s a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, additionally managed to scoop two separate light-weight match wins throughout her adorned run with the PFL.
And eventually drawing Washington native, Pena tonight in ‘The Backyard State’, dominant grappling ace, Kayla Harrison would add the UFC crown to her gleaming mantelpiece.
Starting strongly with a profitable takedown, Ohio veteran, Harrsion would endure a pair of unlawful upkicks from Pena — with referee, Vitor Ribeiro instantly separating the duo — taking some extent from Pena within the course of.
However within the second spherical, Harrison assumed high management as soon as extra, and dominated from there on out.
Trying to wrap up an arm-triangle submission towards defending gold holder, Pena, Harrison — with simply 5 seconds remaining within the second spherical, would lock up a nasty kimura submission on the previous’s left facet — forcing a quickfire faucet.
Together with her victory, American Prime Group ace, Harrison is anticipated to make her first title protection towards former coaching associate and ex-two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes — who is ready to return to the Octagon later this annum.
