Tag: Julianna Pena

Julianna Peña Claims She Took The ‘Soul’ Of Amanda Nunes Despite 5-Round Battering In Rematch

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña isn’t giving up in her pursuit of a third showdown with former two-division queen Amanda Nunes. Prior to her return to action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view earlier this month, Peña vowed to call out Nunes — who retired following a successful defense against Irene Aldana last year — […]

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UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña isn’t giving up in her pursuit of a third showdown with former two-division queen Amanda Nunes.

Prior to her return to action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view earlier this month, Peña vowed to call out Nunes — who retired following a successful defense against Irene Aldana last year — after recapturing the 135-pound title.

And to the frustration of those hoping for her to instead set her sights on Kayla Harrison, the newly crowned champ made good on her promise, snubbing the two-time Olympic gold medalist and again attempting to draw the “Lioness” back.

The pair have already collided twice, with Peña pulling off an almighty upset first time around at UFC 269 but losing in dominant fashion when they ran it back in the main event of UFC 277.

The rematch went the distance but included Nunes recording multiple knockdowns en route to a one-sided decision, which saw 50-44, 50-45, and 50-46 scorecards in the Brazilian’s favor.

But during an appearance on Sirius XM‘s MMA Today show, Peña suggested those numbers don’t reflect what actually happened at Dallas’ American Airlines Center, and that she actually took Nunes’ “soul.”

“Nobody can breathe Amanda Nunes’ name except for me,” Peña said. “I’m the only person that’s going to say, ‘I want you, I know that you retired too early. The first fight, I took your pride in the first fight. The second fight, I took your soul. Make it into the Octagon for this trilogy fight,’ and she can’t do it!

“So she says to the promotion, ‘Dana White, I’m shaking my ass and I’m tagging you because I miss you and call me, mwah, mwah, mwah.’ And then they call her and what does she say? ‘Oh, I just want to see what happens between Kayla and Julianna and I’ll take the winner,’” Peña continued. “You are not retired! You are biding your time, Amanda Nunes!”

When Nunes released a video teasing a comeback on social media post-UFC 307, it initially appeared as if “The Venezuelan Vixen’s” callout had been heard.

But with the champ claiming that the Brazilian is looking to face the winner of her likely showdown with Harrison in 2025, fans of the “Lioness” will seemingly have some time to wait before possibility seeing the legend back in action.

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Claims She Took The ‘Soul’ Of Amanda Nunes Despite 5-Round Battering In Rematch at MMA News.

Julianna Peña Has A Compliment For ‘Refreshing’ Kayla Harrison After Press Conference Exchange

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña seemingly appreciated Kayla Harrison’s presence in Salt Lake City earlier this month. Peña returned to the 135-pound mountaintop in the co-main event of the UFC 307 pay-per-view on Oct. 5, narrowly outpointing Raquel Pennington in what marked a widely debated results. Harrison, meanwhile, staked her claim for a shot […]

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UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña seemingly appreciated Kayla Harrison’s presence in Salt Lake City earlier this month.

Peña returned to the 135-pound mountaintop in the co-main event of the UFC 307 pay-per-view on Oct. 5, narrowly outpointing Raquel Pennington in what marked a widely debated results.

Harrison, meanwhile, staked her claim for a shot against the winner earlier in the night when she got the better of Ketlen Vieira to move to 2-0 under the UFC banner.

While the champ has attempted to set her sights on the retired Amanda Nunes instead, all signs point toward Harrison getting her first title shot in 2025. And given how the pair exchanged words at the UFC 307 press conference, the lead-up could be entertaining.

“The Venezuelan Vixen” has had plenty of negative things to say about the two-time Olympic gold medalist since her arrival to the promotion and in the aftermath of UFC 307. She did, however, have a rare compliment for her related to the presser during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned.

When discussing the heated build-up that many are expecting to her likely defense opposite Harrison, Peña admitted that having a willing dance partner in the trash-talking realm makes for a nice change of pace.

“It is so refreshing to finally have someone that can string a sentence together, and that speaks the language, and that understands the game of frickin’ — we are fist-fighting in a steel cage and it’s important for people to be interested in it,” Peña said. “Like I said, block of wood Raquel, the only reason she started talking crap out of nowhere is because she’s realizing that’s what you need to do to gain interest in the fight.

“You’re right, it is great to finally have somebody who is going to banter back and forth with me,” Peña continued. “Now all of these girls are starting to understand what you need to do. It’s like, they’re taking a page out of my book to do it, and that’s great. Finally, somebody who is going to play ball.”

It remains to be seen when the pair can throw verbal jibes at one another face-to-face ahead of their own fight, but the UFC 307 presser certainly provided a nice appetizer.

For now, both women will be recovering from their outings in Utah. While Harrison appears willing to return to camp soon, Peña has pointed to International Fight Week in mid-2025 as a possible return date for her reign’s opening defense.

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Has A Compliment For ‘Refreshing’ Kayla Harrison After Press Conference Exchange at MMA News.

Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat

Raquel Pennington doesn’t believe she was defeated by Julianna Pena at UFC 307, as she recently shared her thoughts in her first public statement following the title setback. “Rocky” was unable to hold onto her UFC bantamweight title in a razor-close battle against Pena last weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. […]

Continue Reading Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat at MMA News.

Raquel Pennington doesn’t believe she was defeated by Julianna Pena at UFC 307, as she recently shared her thoughts in her first public statement following the title setback.

“Rocky” was unable to hold onto her UFC bantamweight title in a razor-close battle against Pena last weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the fight reached its midpoint, it remained closely contested, with both fighters having their moments of success. However, Pennington seemed to gain the upper hand in the final rounds, especially after rocking Peña with a devastating right hand late in the bout.

Despite “The Venezuelan Vixen” enduring the onslaught, she managed to hold her ground, convincing two of the judges that she had done enough to reclaim the title for a second time. Both awarded her 48-47 scorecards, while the third judge saw the fight in Pennington’s favor with an identical 48-47 score.

Pennington Demands Rematch With Pena

In the aftermath of her defeat, Pennington took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the bout against Pena. “Rocky” asserted in her statement that she feels the outcome did not reflect her performance and voiced her eagerness for a rematch with Pena.

“I’m home, and I’m health,” she wrote. “My heart hurts, but my head is high! I do not feel I lost that fight, but this is just another wild detour on this journey of mine. I will be back better than ever! I want the rematch stat! Regardless, what an amazing fight week. I was surrounded by so much love, support, and blessings. Memories that will last a lifetime. I’m full of gratitude, and I want to send a shout-out to all the people standing behind me.”

Pennington captured the vacant title with an impressive unanimous decision win against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 earlier this January. Her recent defeat brought an end to an impressive six-fight win streak.

Continue Reading Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat at MMA News.

Julianna Peña Targets UFC International Fight Week 2025 For First Title Defense

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña is expecting a break from competition spanning eight to nine months before putting her newly won gold on the line. Peña achieved two-time titleholder status at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah earlier this month, where she made the reign of longtime rival Raquel Pennington a […]

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Targets UFC International Fight Week 2025 For First Title Defense at MMA News.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña is expecting a break from competition spanning eight to nine months before putting her newly won gold on the line.

Peña achieved two-time titleholder status at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah earlier this month, where she made the reign of longtime rival Raquel Pennington a short one.

The pair went the full five rounds in the card’s co-headliner, with “The Venezuelan Vixen” controversially getting the nod on two of the three scorecards to be crowned queen.

On the same card, Kayla Harrison extended her UFC record to a perfect 2-0 by outpointing Ketlen Vieira. That result appeared to signal her as first in line for a shot at Peña in her opening defense.

But it would appear fans could be waiting some time before seeing that matchup play out inside the Octagon…

Peña Has ‘Things To Do’ Before UFC Return, Targets Mid-2025

During an appearance on the debut episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Peña reflected on her title-winning performance in the “Beehive State” and looked ahead to what could await her next.

After insisting that she’s willing to face Harrison should Nunes stay on the sidelines to potentially fight the winner, the champ pointed to next summer’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas as a potential date for her return.

“I’m not sure (when I will return). That’s something that the machine and my dogs, my agents and everything like that, we’re going to have to be going back and forth for a while and make sure this is going to be the best-case scenario for me,” Peña said. “That is a bridge that we can’t cross yet.

“Whenever I text Hunter (Campbell), they’re like, ‘Chill, just enjoy the win, relax.’ That’s kind of what I’m getting right now,” Peña said, before outlining her desired return date. “I don’t know, I think maybe International Fight Week would be a good time. We’ll see. There are some things I need to do on my end.”

For the time being, “The Venezuelan Vixen” will be enjoying the start of her second stint as bantamweight queen before looking ahead to her sophomore attempt at adding a successful defense to her résumé.

And in the meantime, she doesn’t appear likely to let up in her pursuit of drawing Amanda Nunes back to complete their trilogy in 2025.

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Targets UFC International Fight Week 2025 For First Title Defense at MMA News.

Julianna Peña: Fans ‘Want To See’ Me Fight Amanda Nunes, Not Kayla Harrison

When it comes to her desire to avoid Kayla Harrison and run it back with the retired Amanda Nunes, UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña claims to have the support of the masses. Peña recently commenced the start of a second stint with UFC gold in her possession, having fallen on the right side of […]

Continue Reading Julianna Peña: Fans ‘Want To See’ Me Fight Amanda Nunes, Not Kayla Harrison at MMA News.

When it comes to her desire to avoid Kayla Harrison and run it back with the retired Amanda Nunes, UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña claims to have the support of the masses.

Peña recently commenced the start of a second stint with UFC gold in her possession, having fallen on the right side of a controversial split decision after five rounds against defending champ Raquel Pennington earlier this month in Salt Lake City.

The bout marked “The Venezuelan Vixen’s” first since her first divisional rule was brought to an emphatic halt by Nunes in their July 2022 rematch.

There was plenty of backlash toward Peña receiving an immediate shot in her comeback, and even more regarding the contentious decision in Utah.

But in addition to the scorecards, another post-fight topic has seen the newly crowned bantamweight queen on the receiving end of criticism.

Peña Reiterates Dismissal Of Harrison As Top Contender, Cites Fan Support

In her Octagon interview with Joe Rogan at UFC 307, Peña made good on her promise to call out Nunes, encouraging the “Lioness” to return from retirement in order for the pair to complete their trilogy.

The champ’s decision to snub Harrison was widely questioned, with many insisting the two-time Olympic gold medalist should be next in line following her victory over Ketlen Vieira on the same pay-per-view card.

Peña evidently hasn’t been swayed from her pursuit of Nunes in the days since, citing Harrison’s weight cut and fan support for another clash with the Brazilian legend as two reasons behind her preference during an interview with MMA Today on SiriusXM.

“The girl wants to take time off because she even knows that she can’t make the weight and that she’s not a rightful 135er,” Peña said. “She’s too big! She obviously can’t even make the first fight, which is making it to the Octagon. She needs time off. That, to me, is already a loss.

“Secondly, there was nothing that I saw in her fight against Ketlen Vieira that was (like), ‘Oh, some world beater! Oh my gosh, I’m terrified, Kayla Harrison!’ Give me a break. She went out there three weeks early and still gassed out,” Peña continued. “Kayla Harrison, get in line. I’ve got unfinished business to attend to. … Harrison just came to the party. Amanda Nunes is the big fight, the money fight, the fight that people want to see.”

Nunes’ comeback teases in 2024 have come as little surprise to Peña and many others in the community, who branded her retirement at UFC 289 in Canada last year as premature. And the “Lioness” further fueled talk of a return by encouraging UFC CEO Dana White to call her in a recent social media video.

It remains to be seen whether the former two-division champ is planning to head back into competition in pursuit of settling the score with Peña or facing ex-teammate Kayla Harrison.

Her bemusement at the American Top Team standout’s decision not to call her out at UFC 300 earlier this year would perhaps suggest the latter.

Continue Reading Julianna Peña: Fans ‘Want To See’ Me Fight Amanda Nunes, Not Kayla Harrison at MMA News.

Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña

Newly crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña may have a challenge from below to be concerned about. Over two years on from having her reign ended at the first hurdle by Amanda Nunes, Peña returned to the throne by way of a controversial decision win over Raquel Pennington in this past weekend’s UFC 307 […]

Continue Reading Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña at MMA News.

Newly crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña may have a challenge from below to be concerned about.

Over two years on from having her reign ended at the first hurdle by Amanda Nunes, Peña returned to the throne by way of a controversial decision win over Raquel Pennington in this past weekend’s UFC 307 co-main event.

While her second divisional rule has only just got underway, talk has quickly turned to her first defense and the likelihood of Kayla Harrison getting a shot in her third Octagon outing.

“The Venezuelan Vixen,” however, has made it clear that she would rather complete her trilogy with Amanda Nunes should the Brazilian end her retirement.

But there’s also been growing talk of another former opponent of the bantamweight queen’s pursuing a second victory over her…

Shevchenko Open To Bantamweight Return In ‘Right’ Circumstances

During an interview with Bodog Canada prior to UFC 307, flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko assessed a possible rematch with Peña were she to achieve a similar feat at the expense of Pennington.

The Kyrgyzstani standout submitted Peña en route to an ultimately unsuccessful bantamweight title bid back in 2017. “Bullet” later dropped to 125 pounds, where she enjoyed a lengthy title reign and recently commenced a second.

Be it a flyweight defense opposite Manon Fiorot or a bantamweight return, Shevchenko insisted that she’s yet to give any thought to what could await her down the line.

But “Bullet” was also keen to note that nothing is off the table, including a move back up to 135 pounds in pursuit of two-division champ status.

“You know, I was so busy working on returning my belt back at flyweight, so I didn’t have a chance to think about anything else,” Shevchenko said. “I was focusing so much on Alexa (Grasso). For a year-and-a-half, the only one person I was thinking of was her.

“I’m not discarding any opportunities. I’m not saying something like, ‘No!’ But yeah, when I recover from the last fight and we go back and see my team, my manager…we will make the decision,” Shevchenko continued. “Probably for me to go up to bantamweight, it would have to pass some time to build up back my muscles. Spending so long at flyweight, I kind of get smaller. … But if I decide to move up, it has to be right.”

For now, both Shevchenko and Peña will be continuing to celebrate their recent returns to their respective divisional mountaintops.

And while both women have challengers waiting in the wings, should they cement their grips on the UFC gold in their possession, perhaps a second dance will be in their futures.

Continue Reading Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña at MMA News.