To kick this off, let me say up front: Kayla Harrison is a straight-up killer and savage.
She had to win this fight.
Harrison had to come in and beat Peña.
If she didn’t, her entire career would have suffered a setback.
Harrison would not have gotten a rematch with Peña, questions would have arisen about whether she was good enough to be in the UFC, and those questions would have stalled her career.
But Harrison is a champion. She knows what it takes to win.
That said, the hype train needs to calm the heck down.
Right after her win, some in the press screamed that she was the greatest woman in MMA history.
“I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say Kayla is the most accomplished martial artist of the last 20 years,” Ariel Helwani said.
I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say Kayla is the most accomplished martial artist of the last 20 years. https://t.co/R0JJvTGbkV
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 8, 2025
Can we stop Mike Greenberging from the UFC, please?
It’s embarrassing.
For those who don’t know, Mike Greenberg used to make these ridiculous “greatest of all time” lists on his radio show, Mike and Mike.
His lists were absurd. Someone would hit a foul ball at an MLB game, and he’d say something like, “Well, that may be one of the five best foul balls of all time.”
Let’s get real: if you want to be one of the greats in the UFC, you need to defend that belt—and do it often.
You don’t become an icon like Amanda or Conor in this sport by winning the belt once.
You don’t become an icon like Amanda or Conor in this sport by becoming the champion once.
It’s stuff like this that drives me nuts:
Kayla Harrison is UFC champion. It was meant to be.
She’s probably the most predictable champion in UFC history. We saw this coming years ago. #UFC316
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 8, 2025
And folks, for those who don’t know, Kayla had the chance to fight Amanda in her prime—and she passed. She chose to re-sign with the PFL. Don’t give me that “business decision” excuse. Coming into the UFC and taking out Amanda in her prime would’ve brought gobs of money.
The UFC offered her a sweet deal, but she declined it to stay with the PFL.
Surprise Surprise… The Queen is Back
👑 @KaylaH pic.twitter.com/sfNz87TYX3
— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 8, 2022
Echos From the Past
I’m not saying Amanda will roll over, but I’m starting to get Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant vibes.
As for Harrison—wow. Fantastic work. You completely embarrassed Peña (and I’m a fan of hers). Kayla marched in and said, “Give me my belt.”
Then she took it.
