Julianna Pena News
Julianna Pena responds to Amanda Nunes injury claim following UFC 269 loss: "You gotta say whatever you gotta say"
Josh Evanoff - June 20, 2022
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena doesn’t care for Amanda Nunes revealing injuries following their fight last December. At UFC 269, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ faced off against ‘The Lioness’. Despite being a massive underdog, Pena would spring one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. The 32-year-old submitted the long-reigning women’s bantamweight champion in the second round.
Julianna Pena believes she’s marketed herself the right way: “I don’t have to take my clothes off to get people invested”
Susan Cox - June 17, 2022
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena believes she has marketed herself the right way. Julianna Pena (12-4 MMA) last fought in December 2021 at UFC 269 where she defeated Amanda Nunes (21-5 MMA). Pena staggered Nunes in the second round of their co-main event and secured the rear-naked choke to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight crown.
Irene Aldana eyeing title fight against the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2: "I'm ready"
Josh Evanoff - June 16, 2022
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Irene Aldana believes it’s her turn to get a title shot. Later this year, Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes are set to meet in a rematch for the women’s bantamweight title. Their first outing at UFC 269 last December, saw ‘The Lioness’ submitted in the second round. The bout was one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
Julianna Pena expects a more focused version of Amanda Nunes at UFC 277: "I think that I lit a gas can of fire right underneath her behind"
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2022
Julianna Pena believes she “lit a gas can of fire right underneath” the behind of Amanda Nunes with her upset win at UFC 269. Pena (11-4 MMA) captured the promotions women’s bantamweight title with a second round submission victory over Nunes (21-5 MMA) last December (see that here). It was a stunning upset in terms of betting odds, but one that did not come as a surprise to ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ and her supporters.
Jessica Andrade not impressed with UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Pena: “I really think it’s easier to fight Julianna than the girls at 125 and 115”
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2022
Jessica Andrade believes she’d have a good chance to capture the UFC bantamweight title if she went up against Julianna Pena. With three wins in her last four bouts, all of which came via finish, Jessica Andrade is beginning to rebuild some of the momentum she lost from dropping title fight defeats to Zhang Weili and Valentina Shevchenko.
Julianna Pena explains lack of trash talk on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter: "I feel bad for the poor girl. You want me to continue to talk?"
Chris Taylor - June 4, 2022
Julianna Pena has explained why she opted against trash talking Amanda Nunes on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter. Pena (11-4 MMA) captured the promotions women’s bantamweight title with a second round submission victory over Nunes (21-5 MMA) at UFC 269 (see that here). It was a stunning upset in terms of betting odds, but one that did not come as a surprise to ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’.
Amanda Nunes discusses Julianna Pena's lack of trash talk on The Ultimate Fighter: "Don't you talk online?"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Amanda Nunes had an interesting experience with Julianna Pena on The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Lioness’ faced Pena back at UFC 269 in December 2021. The latter wound up springing the upset, winning via second-round submission. With the victory, Pena had handed Nunes her first loss in seven years and earned the bantamweight title.
Valentina Shevchenko teases she could fight the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2: "It's possible"
Josh Evanoff - May 23, 2022
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko says she might fight for the bantamweight title after her next fight. Next month, ‘Bullet’ is set to defend her flyweight crown against Talia Santos at UFC 275. If she defeats the Brazilian, many have speculated that she might move back to bantamweight. During her reign at flyweight, Shevchenko has barely lost a round, let alone a fight.
Kayla Harrison sends a warning to media following Julianna Pena's “tomato cans” diss: “Listen, you and the media need to be careful”
Harry Kettle - May 4, 2022
Kayla Harrison has sent a warning to Julianna Pena in the wake of recent criticism from the UFC bantamweight champion. While she may have re-signed with PFL, Kayla Harrison is still keeping her options open when it comes to seeking out new opponents. She’ll be getting back to action this weekend when taking on Marina Mokhnatkina at PFL 3 but in the future, there’s every chance she ventures out to other promotions in the name of really testing herself.
Julianna Pena takes shot at Amanda Nunes holding UFC featherweight title: "Can you name anyone else in the division?"
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Julianna Pena is set to rematch UFC featherweight champion, Amanda Nunes, later this year. However, the bantamweight titleholder doesn’t really see it as a “champion vs. champion” clash. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ first clashed with ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 in December 2021. Despite being a massive underdog, Pena preserved through a first-round knockout to win in the second round via submission. With the win, she captured the UFC bantamweight title and ended Nunes’s five-year run with the belt.
Casey O’Neill defends Ronda Rousey following recent criticism from UFC champion Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022
UFC flyweight star Casey O’Neill has defended Ronda Rousey following recent criticism from Julianna Pena. There’s a strong argument to be made that without Ronda Rousey, women’s MMA simply would not be where it is today. “Rowdy” came into the UFC and set the place alight with some tremendous performances, firmly establishing herself as one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport.
Julianna Pena takes aim at former UFC champion Ronda Rousey: “She's kind of a joke in the MMA world now”
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2022
Julianna Pena has taken shots at former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. The current UFC bantamweight champion is currently expected to rematch Amanda Nunes later this year. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ captured gold by upsetting ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 in December 2021.
Julianna Pena apologizes for previous COVID-19 comments: "I am just angry and frustrated"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2022
Julianna Pena has apologized for her previous comments about COVID-19 on the Joe Rogan Experience. Last month, the UFC bantamweight champion went on the show to discuss her victory over Amanda Nunes. During the podcast, the topic of COVID-19 came up, and Pena said that she believed that the virus is a “money grab“.
Julianna Pena explains excitement behind Amanda Nunes rematch: "I want to silence the naysayers"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2022
Julianna Pena is currently set to face Amanda Nunes later this year in a highly-anticipated rematch. The UFC bantamweight champion has given her reason why she’s so excited to fight ‘The Lioness’ again. Pena and Nunes are currently coaching the 30th season of The Ultimate Fighter. During media day for the show, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ shared excitement over facing her rival once again.
Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes to serve as TUF 30 coaches, rematch set for after season
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes will be coaching the newest of The Ultimate Fighter. TUF 30 will start filming in February and Pena and Nunes will serve as the coaches. The news of the two being the coaches was first reported by MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Pena also confirmed the news on an appearance Friday on Ellen.
Julianna Pena says she was “heartbroken” by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments about her UFC 269 win
Susan Cox - February 1, 2022
Julianna Pena, 32, (12-4 MMA) is heartbroken by recent comments made by Khabib Nurmagomedov following her UFC 269 win. Pena defeated Amanda Nunes 33, (21-5 MMA) on December 11, 2021 in Las Vegas to win the UFC women’s bantamweight title. It was said to be one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Odds were stacked in favor of ‘The Lioness’ but it was not to be, as ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ won by submission with a rear naked choke in the second round.
Report | UFC 269: ‘Poirier vs Oliveira’ eclipsed half a million pay-per-view buys
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2022
A recent report from SBJ has indicated that UFC 269 managed to hit over 500,000 pay-per-view buys last month. In the final PPV of the year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion went all out. They put on a blockbuster card stacked from head to toe with talent, and that was particularly true for the main event and co-main event of the evening.
Julianna Pena reacts to news that Amanda Nunes is leaving American Top Team: “What a zoo”
Harry Kettle - January 21, 2022
Julianna Pena has given her thoughts on the news that Amanda Nunes is leaving American Top Team to begin her own team. Last month, at UFC 269, Julianna Pena was responsible for one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when she submitted Amanda Nunes to become the new UFC bantamweight champion. The win sent shockwaves throughout the sport of mixed martial arts and now, fans are clamouring to see them run it back with an immediate rematch.