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Two-time UFC champion
Pena won the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision (49-48, 48-49, 49-48) at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
Pena is now a two-time UFC champion. That said, she was fortunate to emerge victorious. Pena neglected to train at altitude for this fight, and it nearly cost her. It was widely assumed she was up 29-28 after three rounds on the strength of her grappling. Little did we know that two of the three judges gave her each of the first three frames. Julianna was clearly gassed over the course of the final ten minutes and paid for it. She was knocked down by Pennington in Round 4 and accomplished nothing offensively in Round 5. In short, while she had her moments, Pena was fortunate to emerge victorious. This wasn't exactly a performance that will raise Julianna's stock. It's clear as day that the 35-year-old's first defense of her title will come against Kayla Harrison, who was victorious earlier in the evening. Pena is going to find herself a massive underdog for that fight when it finally comes to fruition.
Pena is now a two-time UFC champion. That said, she was fortunate to emerge victorious. Pena neglected to train at altitude for this fight, and it nearly cost her. It was widely assumed she was up 29-28 after three rounds on the strength of her grappling. Little did we know that two of the three judges gave her each of the first three frames. Julianna was clearly gassed over the course of the final ten minutes and paid for it. She was knocked down by Pennington in Round 4 and accomplished nothing offensively in Round 5. In short, while she had her moments, Pena was fortunate to emerge victorious. This wasn't exactly a performance that will raise Julianna's stock. It's clear as day that the 35-year-old's first defense of her title will come against Kayla Harrison, who was victorious earlier in the evening. Pena is going to find herself a massive underdog for that fight when it finally comes to fruition.
Booked for co-main vs Pennington
Pena will take on Raquel Pennington in a bantamweight bout at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pena's scheduled bantamweight title fight against Amanda Nunes in June was canceled, but now the fighter will get the chance to step back into the octagon. She'll take on Pennington in the co-main event at UFC 307, and it's a chance to get her first win since 2021 when she bested Pena with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round. Pennington, meanwhile, has won six straight fights and hasn't lost since 2020.
Pena's scheduled bantamweight title fight against Amanda Nunes in June was canceled, but now the fighter will get the chance to step back into the octagon. She'll take on Pennington in the co-main event at UFC 307, and it's a chance to get her first win since 2021 when she bested Pena with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round. Pennington, meanwhile, has won six straight fights and hasn't lost since 2020.
Won't fight Nunes
Pena is out for the bantamweight title at UFC 289 on June 10 versus Amanda Nunes due to broken ribs, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pena will be replaced by Irene Aldana in the fight. Pena and Nunes had met each other in the championship fight each of the past two years, so this injury will put an end to the trilogy. Pena had beaten Nunes via submission at UFC 269 only for Nunes to reclaim her title at UFC 277.
Pena will be replaced by Irene Aldana in the fight. Pena and Nunes had met each other in the championship fight each of the past two years, so this injury will put an end to the trilogy. Pena had beaten Nunes via submission at UFC 269 only for Nunes to reclaim her title at UFC 277.
Challenging Nunes again
UFC president Dana White confirmed Friday that Pena will challenge Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title at UFC 289 on June 10, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Pena originally took the title from Nunes with a shocking win in December of 2021, but Nunes reclaimed the belt last summer with ease in a unanimous decision. It will be the third consecutive matchup for both fighters, with Nunes likely being favored to retain the title.
Pena originally took the title from Nunes with a shocking win in December of 2021, but Nunes reclaimed the belt last summer with ease in a unanimous decision. It will be the third consecutive matchup for both fighters, with Nunes likely being favored to retain the title.
Title reign ends quickly
Pena lost her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Amanda Nunes via unanimous decision (45-50, 44-50, 43-50) at UFC 277 in Dallas.
ANALYSIS
Most people would have guessed this would have been the result in the rematch the second Pena stunned Nunes for the title last December. Overall, Julianna was hopelessly outclassed in virtually every aspect of the fight, yet her insane toughness and durability allowed her to nearly pull off a couple miracle submissions in Round 4 in a bout she otherwise had zero chance of winning. Nunes constantly switched stances early on and Pena had no answer. She was knocked down three times in Round 2 alone but kept coming. She was taken down countless times late in the fight when she exhausted, but kept battling. It's extremely rare, even in this sport, to see a display of heart and toughness like Pena showed here. Casual observers will remark that Julianna's victory in the first fight was nothing more than a fluke, and maybe the end result was, but she's a world-class fighter who may have very well earned more respect from fans and peers from this performance than her victory.
Most people would have guessed this would have been the result in the rematch the second Pena stunned Nunes for the title last December. Overall, Julianna was hopelessly outclassed in virtually every aspect of the fight, yet her insane toughness and durability allowed her to nearly pull off a couple miracle submissions in Round 4 in a bout she otherwise had zero chance of winning. Nunes constantly switched stances early on and Pena had no answer. She was knocked down three times in Round 2 alone but kept coming. She was taken down countless times late in the fight when she exhausted, but kept battling. It's extremely rare, even in this sport, to see a display of heart and toughness like Pena showed here. Casual observers will remark that Julianna's victory in the first fight was nothing more than a fluke, and maybe the end result was, but she's a world-class fighter who may have very well earned more respect from fans and peers from this performance than her victory.