A UFC 316 star took a page out of Nate Diaz’s book after winning gold in the most dramatic of fashions.
The start of June will mark the return of MMA’s leading promotion to New Jersey to stage another pay-per-view event at Newark’s Prudential Center.
Merab Dvalishvili will fight Sean O’Malley in the main event, serving as a rematch of their encounter inside the Sphere in September 2024.
‘The Machine’ won’t be the only fighter tasked with defending UFC gold, however.
The co-main event will feature the return of a champion whose first taste of title glory is up there with the sport’s greatest upsets.
But while most were shocked by it, the woman herself was not surprised.
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Julianna Pena quotes Nate Diaz during Octagon interview after shocking UFC title win
Julianna Pena will face Kayla Harrison at UFC 316, as she looks to ensure her second reign goes beyond the length of her first.
‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ reached top spot at 135 pounds for the first time in December 2022. A historic upset went down when Pena submitted the legendary Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.
The result is widely regarded as one of the most shocking finishes in promotional history, but Pena had frequently vowed to achieve the feat in the lead-up.
Her confidence was considered misplaced by many fighters, fans, and analysts. And with that in mind, Pena had a fitting message to her doubters inside the Octagon.
“I’m not surprised, mother—er,” Pena said, quoting Nate Diaz’s famous post-fight interview.
Diaz submitted Conor McGregor in the UFC 196 main event before memorably uttering those words.
Julianna Pena is being counted out again ahead of UFC 316
To keep the bantamweight title in her possession beyond June 7, Pena will have to pull off another remarkable upset.
Pena is the underdog against Harrison, and the odds are heavily in favor of the two-time PFL title winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Further questions about the champion’s chances stem from the manner in which she regained the title. Pena controversially beat Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in a decision many thought ‘Rocky’ deserved.
But ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ remains unfazed and is determined to once again deal a blow to her haters.
Should she do so come fight night at UFC 316, a trilogy between Pena and Nunes could be in store.
‘The Lioness’ appears likely to commit to a comeback just two years on from her retirement, with a clash against the winner of Pena vs. Harrison expected to await her.