Julianna Pena is laser focused on Raquel Pennington, but has Kayla Harrison in her sights.
Peña expects to be bantamweight champion Pennington’s first title defense, but a fight is yet to be booked. The other standout name that could be in the running is Harrison, who makes her octagon debut against Holly Holm April 13 at UFC 300.
But Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) questions if Harrison (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will in peak form, as she attempts to make 135 pounds for the first time in her career.
“Kayla Harrison is fighting a battle right now that she’s got to be able to contend with, and that’s making 135 pounds,” Peña told MMA on Sirius XM. “We know that there’s nobody in the 145-pound division. You can’t name 10 145ers. So first off, let’s just see if she can make it. Second off, let’s see how she performs – because her fights (have been) at 155. She’s already draining and cutting a ton of weight.
“When you cut that much and get down to 135, you’re a shell of yourself at what you were at 145 or even 155. Let’s see how she performs at 135, and let’s see her make that, and then we could talk. But as far as I’m concerned, she was getting a bunch of ‘gimme’ fights at PFL.”
Although Peña doesn’t think former champion Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) is the same fighter now that she’s 42, if Harrison can beat her, she will have Peña’s attention.
“Holly Holm will be a very big test for her, and if she can overcome Holly Holm, then we’ll see,” Peña said. “But absolutely: Kayla’s a big name. She talks a lot of crap, she’s a worthy adversary and that’s definitely a fight I want later on down the line. You bet you.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
