Julianna Peña, born on August 19, 1989, is an American professional mixed martial artist who has made a significant impact in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). She competes in the women's Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the former two-time UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. Peña is also notable for being the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.
This article delves into her career, highlighting key moments and achievements that have defined her journey in the sport.
Julianna Peña at UFC Fight Night Denver
Early Life and Career Beginnings
The youngest of four siblings, Peña was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. Julianna graduated in 2007 from Mt. Spokane High School. Her journey in mixed martial arts began long before her UFC debut, with a solid foundation built through dedication and perseverance.
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Tate
In August 2013, it was announced that Peña was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Tate. Peña faced Gina Mazany in the elimination fight to get into the house.
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During the first tournament fight in the house, Peña faced veteran and top-ten ranked Shayna Baszler. Ronda Rousey selected this match-up between the two first female picks. The highly ranked and more experienced Baszler was widely considered the favorite. After a back and forth first round in which Peña landed effective boxing combinations and escaped several of Baszler's submission attempts, Peña came out hard in the second round, connecting with powerful knee strikes that staggered Baszler.
In the semifinals, Peña faced off against Sarah Moras. The two fought previously in a professional bout in 2012, with Peña losing after suffering an injury due to an armbar which forced the doctor to stop the bout between the second and third rounds.
Peña faced Jessica Rakoczy in the finals on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.
Kayla Harrison SUBMITS Julianna Peña In The Second Round! 🚨
UFC Career
Peña was expected to face Jessica Andrade at UFC 171 on March 15, 2014. However, Peña pulled out of the bout after suffering an injury to her right knee. She suffered the injury while grappling in training, ultimately damaging, among other aspects, her ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus.
Peña returned to face Milana Dudieva on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.
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Peña faced Jessica Eye at UFC 192 in Houston. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Peña faced Cat Zingano at UFC 200. Peña won the fight via unanimous decision.
Peña faced Germaine de Randamie on October 4, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. She lost the fight via submission.
Peña faced Sara McMann on January 23, 2021, at UFC 257. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission.
Peña faced Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. She won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round, shocking the world and becoming the new champion.
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A trilogy bout with Amanda Nunes was scheduled to take place on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289. However, on May 2, 2023, it was announced that Peña pulled out of the bout due to broken ribs she sustained during training camp. Irene Aldana, who was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill, replaced her.
Julianna Peña faced Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Despite a knockdown and head kick, Peña dethroned Pennington to reclaim the title.
At UFC 316, Kayla Harrison defeated Julianna Peña via kimura submission, claiming the title.
Here is a summary of some of Julianna Peña's key UFC fights and their outcomes:
| Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night 63 | Milana Dudieva | Win | TKO | 1 | 3:59 |
| UFC 192 | Jessica Eye | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| UFC 200 | Cat Zingano | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| UFC on FOX 23 | Valentina Shevchenko | Loss | Submission (Armbar) | 2 | 4:29 |
| UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana | Germaine de Randamie | Loss | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 3 | 3:25 |
| UFC 257 | Sara McMann | Win | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 3 | 3:39 |
| UFC 269 | Amanda Nunes | Win | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 3:26 |
| UFC 277 | Amanda Nunes | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| UFC 307 | Raquel Pennington | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| UFC 316 | Kayla Harrison | Loss | Submission (Kimura) | 2 | 3:26 |
Achievements and Awards
Julianna Peña's career is highlighted by several notable achievements and awards:
- The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Tate Winner
- Two-Time UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion
- Performance of the Night (Two times)
- 2021: President's Choice Performance of the Year
- 2021: Upset of the Year
- 2021 January Submission of the Month
- 2021 December Submission of the Month
- 2021 Upset of the Year (MMA Junkie, Sherdog, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports)
- 2022 Upset of the Year (World MMA Awards)
Julianna Peña celebrating her victory
Outside the Octagon
Peña was featured in the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life, directed by James Z. Feng. On December 20, 2015, Peña was arrested in Spokane, Washington and charged with two counts of assault due to an altercation with bar staff following an earlier street fight in which Josh Gow, her training partner on the Sikjitsu fight team, had been injured. Following the incident, Julianna agreed to counseling.