Daniel Cormier believes Julianna Pena missed an opportunity by not mentioning Kayla Harrison in her post victory interview.
At UFC 307 in the co-main event, Julianna Pena regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title as she dethroned Raquel Pennington via split decision. Despite fighting for the division’s biggest prize, many considered a different bantamweight’s performance better than the champions.
Also fighting on the UFC 307 pay-per-view card. Kayla Harrison would take on number two, Ketlen Vieira. Arguably the Olympic gold medalist’s toughest test to date. Harrison would look improved on the feet during the opening exchanges, but behind the Brazilian. However, it was her elite-level grappling that saw her earn a handy decision victory.
With Harrison winning, and her name value increasing. It seems a title shot is all but inevitable. Despite Harrison appearing to be the obvious choice, Pena would call out former foe, and now retired former champ Amanda Nunes, leaving most questioning the call out.
Daniel Cormier Questions Julianna Pena Over Decision To Not Set Up Kayla Harrison Fight
One man who saw Pena’s mic time as a wasted opportunity was UFC legend, Daniel Cormier. Providing commentary throughout the night, Cormier would give his thoughts not long after.
Saying about Pena’s decision not to call for a huge fight with Kayla Harrison, he had the following to say.
“I will say this — she dropped the ball on the callout, I mean Kayla’s on the screen. Say her name. Why no sell the person that is clearly going to be your No. 1 contender?”
“There is no world where she does not fight Kayla Harrison. She’s fighting her next. You might as well put the sell on it.”
“Don’t wait until the fight is announced!” Continuing, “Now you’re a step behind when you had the opportunity to be a step ahead going into your fight with Kayla Harrison, who will be the No. 1 contender for your championship as we go forward.”
“It’s not like Kayla Harrison looked the best. Kayla’s looked better. Tonight she looked like a girl that needs to get takedowns and if she doesn’t, she is still in the very early stages of her striking. Julianna Peña should’ve after this performance been more willing to say her name.”
In her post-fight press conference. Pena did address Harrison. Claiming the judo specialist didn’t impress her, in her three rounds against Vieira.
Do you agree with Cormier, is Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison the fight to make next?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
