Julianna Pena News

Maycee Barber and Julianna Pena.
Maycee Barber

Julianna Pena responds to Maycee Barber: "This girl has never fought for a world title!"

Josh Evanoff - July 19, 2023

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena has taken aim at Maycee Barber. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ was last seen at UFC 289 last month, but not as a fighter. Originally slated for a trilogy bout with Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena was forced out due to injury. As a result, Irene Aldana stepped in on short notice, suffering a lopsided unanimous decision defeat.

Julianna Pena and Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey

Julianna Pena hopeful for Ronda Rousey UFC return: "Has an ass-whooping coming to her"

Josh Evanoff - July 19, 2023

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is hoping Ronda Rousey returns to MMA. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of the cage for over a year, since her rematch with Amanda Nunes. At UFC 277 last July, Julianna Pena was battered en route to a unanimous decision defeat. As a result, she lost her bantamweight title, just six months after she shook up the world against ‘The Lioness’.

Julianna Pena
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena still frustrated by Amanda Nunes retiring: "We do have unfinished business"

Josh Evanoff - July 5, 2023

Nearly a month on from UFC 289, Julianna Pena is still upset about Amanda Nunes’ retirement. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of the cage since her rematch with ‘The Lioness’ last July. The bout took place just six months after Julianna Pena shook up the world, submitting the Brazilian. However, in the rematch, she was dominated by Amanda Nunes, who reclaimed the gold by unanimous decision.

Erin Blanchfield and Julianna Pena.
Erin Blanchfield

Daniel Cormier calls for Julianna Pena to face Erin Blanchfield for bantamweight title: "She said she's the greatest female fighter!"

Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier is down to see Julianna Pena vs. Erin Blanchfield. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ was last seen at UFC 289 earlier this month in Canada. However, Julianna Pena wasn’t in action like originally expected. While she was slated to fight on the card against Amanda Nunes, the former champion withdrew due to injury and was replaced with Irene Aldana.

Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena believes she finishes on top of Amanda Nunes rivalry: “A finish is better than a scorecard”

Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023

Julianna Pena believes she has been able to get the edge on Amanda Nunes in their rivalry despite it being locked at 1-1. Last weekend, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so following her win over Irene Aldana, ensuring she walked away as a double champ. Julianna Pena, meanwhile, was in the crowd, heckling Nunes as she gave her retirement speech.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, UFC 277
Julianna Pena

Amanda Nunes explains why she believes Julianna Pena won’t return to UFC champion status

Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023

Amanda Nunes has explained why she doesn’t believe Julianna Pena will become a UFC champion again. Last weekend at UFC 289, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so after defeating Irene Aldana, cementing her status as the greatest female fighter of all time in the process. Many had been speculating for months that her time was coming and now, we know it to be true.

Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena reveals coach had to talk her out of storming cage during Amanda Nunes retirement speech: "Be classy"

Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2023

Things nearly got a bit ugly following the UFC 289 main event bout between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes on Saturday. In the main event, Amanda Nunes returned for yet another title defense. She was initially slated to face ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ in a rare trilogy bout, however, Julianna Pena was forced to withdraw due to injury. As a result, Irene Aldana was given the nod to the short-notice pay-per-view headliner.

Julianna Pena
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena crowns herself the women's GOAT after Amanda Nunes's retirement: "I'm a warrior"

Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2023

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena believes she’s the greatest fighter ever. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her rematch with Amanda Nunes last July. The bout took just a few months after Pena upset ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 by submission, ending her historic title run. However, in their rematch, it was one-way traffic, as the Brazilian won by a lopsided unanimous decision.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, TUF
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena slams Amanda Nunes following her retirement announcement at UFC 289

Chris Taylor - June 10, 2023

Former champ Julianna Pena took aim at Amanda Nunes following her performance and retirement announcement at UFC 289. Pena (11-5 MMA) was of course originally slated to face Nunes (23-5 MMA) for a third time at tonight’s UFC event in Vancouver.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena claims she made Amanda Nunes "relevant again" by beating her: "She’s probably really thankful for me"

Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023

Julianna Pena says she made Amanda Nunes relevant again. At UFC 269, Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title for the sixth time and extend her win streak to 13. During the win streak, she also won the featherweight title and not many of those fights were all that competitive. With that, Pena believes fans started to not care about Nunes’ fights until she pulled off a submission win to become the new champ.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, UFC 277
Julianna Pena

UFC champion Amanda Nunes explains why she decided not to retire: "I couldn’t leave my belt with Julianna"

Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023

Amanda Nunes has explained why she opted against retirement after losing to Julianna Pena back at UFC 269. Nunes entered the fight as a sizeable betting favorite and had a solid first round. However, in the second round, Pena began to land big shots and it appeared the Brazilian was starting to fade. ‘The Lioness’ was later submitted that very same round.

Amanda-Nunes-Dana-White
Irene Aldana

Amanda Nunes labels Irene Aldana a more dangerous opponent than Julianna Pena

Josh Evanoff - May 29, 2023

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes has discussed her return against Irene Aldana. ‘The Lioness’ has been out of the octagon for almost a year, last competing at UFC 277 in July. That bout was the Brazilian’s long-awaited rematch against Julianna Pena. In December 2021, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ famously upset Nunes by second-round submission, ending her title reign.

Julianna Pena
UFC

Julianna Pena releases statement after pulling out of UFC 289 title fight against Amanda Nunes: "Looking forward to fighting the winner to regain my belt"

Cole Shelton - May 5, 2023

Julianna Pena has issued a lengthy statement after pulling out of her UFC 289 title fight against Amanda Nunes. Pena was set to headline UFC 289 against Nunes in their trilogy match for the women’s bantamweight belt. Yet, this week, Dana White announced that Pena suffered a broken rib and was forced to withdraw.

UFC 277, Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena
Dana White

Julianna Pena out of UFC 289 with a broken rib, Amanda Nunes now defends title against Irene Aldana

Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023

The trilogy between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes will no longer be happening at UFC 289. UFC president, Dana White took to Instagram to announce that Pena has suffered a broken rib and is out of their scheduled main event fight. However, Irene Aldana has agreed to step up on short notice and will now headline the pay-per-view event for the bantamweight title against Nunes on June 10 in Vancouver, Canada.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, TUF
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena explains why her “back hurts” ahead of trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes at UFC 289: “From carrying this fight and from making her relevant again”

Susan Cox - April 19, 2023

Julianna Pena is explaining why her ‘back hurts’ ahead of her trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes at UFC 289. It was announced on April 9th that UFC 289 will feature Nunes vs. Pena 3 in the upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship which takes place on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. The bantamweight title bout will see Nunes (22-5 MMA) taking on Peña (11-5 MMA) in the Octagon.

Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena believes Amanda Nunes was "forced" into UFC 289 trilogy match: "She had no choice but to fight me"

Josh Evanoff - April 12, 2023

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is happy to finally have her return booked. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her UFC 277 main event with Amanda Nunes. The bout happened just a few short months after Pena shocked the world against ‘The Lioness’. At UFC 269 in December 2021, the Brazilian shockingly suffered a second-round submission loss to lose her bantamweight title.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, UFC 277
Julianna Pena

Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena 3 to headline UFC 289 in June

Josh Evanoff - April 7, 2023

UFC 289 in June officially now has a main event. The card is slated for the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, and is already filling out. Scheduled fights for the event include Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira, as well as Rob Font’s clash with Nate Landwehr. Now, the card has a headliner.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes, UFC 277
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena hits back at critics over possible trilogy with Amanda Nunes: "They’re making Deiveson Figuieredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 for Pete’s sake"

Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena believes a trilogy with Amanda Nunes has to be next. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her title defense against ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 277 in July. The bout was a rematch of their prior encounter in December 2021. There, Pena sprung one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, submitting Nunes in round two.