Ali Abdelaziz shares surprising revelation about Kayla Harrison's next fight should Julianna Pena back out: "She might have some health problem"

Ali Abdelaziz has made a surprising revelation regarding Kayla Harrison's potential next matchup if current UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Pena doesn't fight her. Abdelaziz named the fighter Harrison could possibly face instead of Pena.

The UFC 307 card in October 2024 featured Harrison defeating Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision, which many believed made her the consensus number-one contender in the women's bantamweight division. The event's co-headlining match saw Pena dethrone Raquel Pennington with a razor-thin split decision win to become a two-time UFC women's bantamweight champion.

Pena then called out ex-UFC women's bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes for their trilogy bout. Nunes has been retired from MMA since June 2023. Regardless, 'The Lioness' responded to Pena's call-out and even teased a possible comeback in 2024. Nunes' comeback hasn't materialized yet. Also, many foresee Harrison as Pena's likely opponent.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn, Harrison's longtime manager Abdelaziz addressed various topics. When asked if he's confident that Harrison could get her long-awaited fight against Pena, he stated:

"This is what I was being told. Julianna Pena, if she's not ready to fight Kayla, she might have some health problem, it's going to be an interim title. Hundred percent this is what's going to happen. And the UFC is just not going to hold the division because somebody don't want to fight or are injured."

He added:

"If you out more than eight, nine months, UFC should make interim title. And I love that. I don't think any division should be held because someone who is injured or -- if you, a champion, defend your title a lot, I think you get this courtesy. But if you just become a champion and want to take a year off, I don't think you should get this courtesy."

Upon being questioned whether he believes the UFC could turn to Pennington for the potential interim title matchup featuring Harrison, Abdelaziz suggested that it is indeed a possibility.

Check out Abdelaziz's comments below (20:32):

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Ali Abdelaziz foresees UFC championship glory for client Kayla Harrison in 2025

Ali Abdelaziz recently generated significant buzz on X, making a rather assertive prediction about his star client Kayla Harrison's future in the UFC. The Dominance MMA Management founder, who also manages the likes of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, and more, foresees Harrison capturing UFC gold. He tweeted:

"2025 @KaylaH will be @ufc CHAMPION"

The UFC hasn't officially announced Harrison, Julianna Pena, and Raquel Pennington's respective next opponents and exact comeback dates. It's also unclear what health problem Ali Abdelaziz was alluding to about Pena.

Regardless, former two-time PFL women's lightweight champion Harrison has remained steadfast in her quest for UFC glory. The two-time Olympic gold medalist Judoka recently reaffirmed that she'll win the UFC women's bantamweight championship in 2025.