Kayla Harrison 'would rather put an elbow through Julianna Peña's skull than Raquel Pennington's'

If Kayla Harrison had to choose, she’d rather fight Julianna Pena for the title.

Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is perhaps one fight away from cementing herself as No. 1 contender if she can get past Ketlen Vieira (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) Oct. 5 at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.

In the nights co-headliner, bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her belt against Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). Despite competing on the same night, Harrison is ready to jump in as a reserve.

“If one of those b*tches gets sick or hurt or injured, I will take that fight on 30 seconds’ notice,” Harrison told Grind City Media. “I’m ready. (I’m the) best in the world. I’m ready, so let’s go.”

Harrison says she’d take more joy in fighting former champion Peña than Pennington.

“To have a preference would mean that I have an emotion,” Harrison said. “I don’t care. I really do not care. The goal is the belt. But if we’re talking about Kayla, the psychopath, of course I would rather put an elbow through Julianna’s skull than Raquel’s. Julianna’s face is annoying. Of course I would pick that face – of course.”

Regardless of what transpires at UFC 307, Harrison wants to make an even bigger statement against Vieira than she did over Holly Holm at UFC 300.

“I want blood on the canvas this time,” Harrison said. “I want to go out there and dominate from bell to bell. I want to instill my will, and I want to break Ketlen Vieira. I want her to beg, I want her to quit, and I want it to be by KO, TKO or submission.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.