Julianna Peña recaptured the ladies’s bantamweight title at UFC 307 in October defeating Raquel Pennington by way of controversial cut up determination. Earlier than she’s in a position to defend the belt, the struggle promotion could also be planning an interim title bout.
It was assumed that Peña would face two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL titleholder Kayla Harrison within the first title protection of her second reign. However based on Harrison’s supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, Harrison could also be preventing a special opponent for an interim championship.
“That is what I’ve been instructed: Julianna Peña, if she’s not able to struggle Kayla, she may need some well being issues – it’s going to be an interim title,” Abdelaziz instructed MMA Junkie. “100, p.c that is what’s going to occur. The UFC is simply not going to carry the division as a result of somebody doesn’t wish to struggle or is injured. If you’re out greater than eight, 9 months then UFC ought to make an interim title. And I like that.
“I don’t suppose any division ought to be held as a result of somebody is injured. Should you because the champion defend your title loads, I feel you get this courtesy. However if you happen to simply turned the champion and wish to take a yr off, I don’t suppose it is best to get this courtesy.”
If an interim title is created, Abdelaziz believes there’s just one logical opponent for Harrison, Raquel Pennington.
“I feel one hundred pc (Pennington),” Abdelaziz mentioned. “That is what she deserves. I’m not the matchmakers. There’s a man from Houston, Texas, named Mick Maynard who does that and it’s his job.”
