An interim women’s bantamweight title could come into play in the first half of 2025 if Julianna Pena is not ready to defend. After Peña (11-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) reclaimed the 135-pound belt with a split decision win over Raquel Pennington (16-9 MMA, 13-6 UFC) at UFC 307 in October, all signs pointed to his first defense coming against two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC). The champ’s health has created a hiccup in the UFC’s desired timeline, however, and according to Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, the potential of an interim title being introduced is on the table. “This is what I have been told: Julianna Peña, if she’s not ready to fight Kayla, she might have some health problems – it’s going to be an interim title,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “One hundred, percent this is what’s going to happen
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