UFC commentator Jon Anik isn`t certain Julianna Pena will claim the women`s bantamweight title at UFC 316 this Saturday, but he firmly believes the fight is much closer on paper than the current betting odds and general fan perception suggest.
Anik, set to call the fight alongside Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, has witnessed enough of Pena to know she can never be underestimated. He points to her historic upset victory over Amanda Nunes to win the title for the first time nearly four years ago as clear evidence.
Anik mentioned recently rewatching the first fight between Pena and Amanda Nunes, stating that viewing is sufficient preparation for him now. He recounted how Pena`s head coach has consistently described her over the years as intensely competitive and tough. Anik views Pena as a fighter with exceptional toughness, cardio, self-belief, and a strong desire to battle through adversity. He emphasizes that she never seeks an easy way out and won`t tap just because the situation becomes difficult.
He believes these qualities are crucial when facing a highly accomplished opponent like Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic champion. Anik also raised concerns about Harrison`s weight management for the bantamweight division, questioning her ability to consistently make weight if she were to win the title, particularly with the current absence of a women`s featherweight division in the UFC. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Harrison, Anik finds encouragement in Julianna Pena`s considerable experience, persistence, and her unwavering, never-say-die attitude.
Pena became a two-time champion by defeating Raquel Pennington via decision at UFC 307 last October. On the same card, Harrison made her second UFC appearance following a successful tenure in PFL, securing a unanimous decision victory against Ketlen Vieira.
The build-up to this fight has been notable for Pena`s continuous trash talk directed at Harrison, including accusations of steroid use, which Harrison has publicly responded to. While some observers find Pena`s method of promoting fights somewhat awkward, Anik believes it is part of a larger strategy for her.
Anik commented on Pena`s apparent athleticism inside the cage, noting moments of surprising accuracy, particularly against Amanda Nunes in critical junctures of their fight. He sees this as promising because, in combat sports, a single moment can be decisive, and if Pena can create one early, it has the potential to completely alter the course of the fight.
He acknowledged that Kayla Harrison is a significant favorite, around 6-to-1, perhaps even prohibitively so. However, Anik stressed that Julianna Pena has a history of being counted out and is once again facing the same perception. Despite any perceived awkwardness in her promotional style, Anik appreciates Pena`s confidence and how she speaks her mind. He suggests the main challenge for Pena might simply be the high caliber of her opponent.
A related point of discussion surrounding this bout is the potential return of Amanda Nunes, the former double champion who retired as the bantamweight titleholder after her dominant victory over Irene Aldana in June 2023. Nunes hinted at a comeback at a press conference in April. She holds a 1-1 record against Pena, and a hypothetical fight against Harrison has been a topic of speculation among fans for years.
Will Nunes return? Anik believes her decision likely depends on who wins the fight on Saturday night. He stated that he sees little benefit for Amanda Nunes in fighting Julianna Pena a third time, aside from potential financial incentives. Therefore, he thinks a fight against Kayla Harrison would be the primary motivation for her to come out of retirement.
However, Anik also discussed the potential downsides of a return, using an analogy from the NBA playoffs to illustrate the pressure on favored competitors. He questioned whether legacy alone is a strong enough reason for Nunes to return, especially as fighters like Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili are increasingly challenging her status as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. He pondered whether the decision might ultimately be driven by financial opportunity, concluding that Nunes` claim to the GOAT title has indeed faced significant challenges over the past year from these top contenders.
