Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson has a strong prediction for the UFC 316 women’s bantamweight title fight. Set for June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Kayla Harrison faces Julianna Pena in the co-main event. Thomson shared his thoughts on his Weighing In podcast, backing Harrison to win easily.
“I think it’s going to be easier than people think. And I have nothing against Julianna Pena. I think she spent so much time calling for the Amanda Nunes fight, calling for everyone but Kayla Harrison. And I think Kayla Harrison’s just been getting better since then, keeping her weight under control, doing all the things that she needs to do to make sure she becomes the champion,” Thomson said.
Harrison’s record supports this view. She’s a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist with an 18-1 MMA record. Since joining the UFC in 2024, she’s crushed Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira.
Pena, at 11-5, won the title from Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October 2024, after upsetting Nunes in 2021. Thomson believes Harrison’s recent improvements outshine Pena’s focus on other opponents.
Harrison’s Key Advantage
“She’s a professional through and through, Kayla Harrison is. You know, being an Olympic gold medalist, being somebody who just mentally can just turn the switch, I know, two-time Olympic gold medalist, being someone who can just turn the switch like this is my goal. I don’t see anything but my goal and that’s what it takes,” Thomson said.
This focus sets Harrison apart. Her judo skills and PFL success show her drive, with her only loss to Larissa Pacheco in 2022. She’s been perfect since, hitting 135 pounds smoothly. Pena’s win over Nunes proved her toughness, but Thomson believes Harrison’s edge will shine. He expects her to end the fight in three rounds or less, taking the title from Pena on June 7, 2025, in Newark.
