Tag: Julianna Pena

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. […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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.

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Amanda Nunes Reacts To UFC 307, Peña Callout With ‘Call Me’ Plea To Dana White

It would appear that what went down at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City has further spurred the comeback fire underneath former two-division champion Amanda Nunes. Having hinted at a return from retirement earlier this year, two matchups appeared of interest to the Brazilian at this past weekend’s pay-per-view. Before her former opponents Raquel Pennington […]

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It would appear that what went down at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City has further spurred the comeback fire underneath former two-division champion Amanda Nunes.

Having hinted at a return from retirement earlier this year, two matchups appeared of interest to the Brazilian at this past weekend’s pay-per-view. Before her former opponents Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña collided for the title she vacated last year, ex-teammate Kayla Harrison had her second UFC outing.

Following the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s Octagon debut in April, Nunes questioned why she hadn’t been called out. While her name remained absent from Harrison’s lips at UFC 307, the same can’t be said for “The Venezuelan Vixen.”

After regaining the 135-pound title in the co-main event, Peña made good on her promise to address Nunes inside the Octagon, believing her to be far from done as an active fighter.

Whether it was that callout or Harrison’s performance earlier in the night, somebody seemingly got the Brazilian legend’s attention…

Did UFC 307 Awaken ‘The Lioness?’ Nunes Requests Call From The Boss

While Nunes remained silent in the immediate aftermath of Peña’s title win and subsequent callout, she emerged on social media this week with a message for UFC CEO Dana White.

MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz, a Brazilian journalist, provided context behind her Instagram video video, noting that Nunes was singing along to “Outdoor,” a song created by Brazilian samba group Só Pra Contrariar.

The original lyrics include, “Oh please call,” and, “I Miss you so much.” Nunes is said to have altered the lyrics to, “Call me, please.”

If Nunes does officially commit to a return, it remains unclear whether her goal will be regaining the title, settling the score with Peña, or having a long-awaited showdown with former teammate Harrison.

Regardless, should predictions of “The Lioness” meeting the winner of the expected Peña vs. Harrison clash come to fruition, she’ll have the chance to kill two of those birds with one stone.

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Julianna Peña Slams Champ Raquel Pennington’s Promotional Efforts: ‘She Said No To Embedded!’

UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Peña continues to be unimpressed by Raquel Pennington’s efforts as champion. Nine months on from winning the vacant belt at the expense of Mayra Bueno Silva in Canada, Pennington will return for her first title defense in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view. Opposite “Rocky” in Salt Lake […]

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UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Peña continues to be unimpressed by Raquel Pennington’s efforts as champion.

Nine months on from winning the vacant belt at the expense of Mayra Bueno Silva in Canada, Pennington will return for her first title defense in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

Opposite “Rocky” in Salt Lake City, Utah will be a familiar face in the form of Peña, whom she featured with on the cast of The Ultimate Fighter 18 in 2013.

Animosity exists between the pair dating back to the show, and that’s led to plenty of back and forth in the lead-up to their collision inside the Octagon at the Delta Center this weekend.

Peña: Pennington Not A ‘Good Representation’ Of The Division

During her appearance at UFC 307 media day on Wednesday, Peña assessed how Pennington has fit into the role of champion following her crowning in Toronto this past January.

The former bantamweight queen unsurprisingly had a critical take, taking aim at Pennington’s failure to promote herself and their fight adequately.

“Raquel has not been a good representation of the women’s bantamweight division,” Peña said. “She has not promoted. She has said no to Embedded. She has constantly done everything that she can to avoid being the face of women’s MMA and not being that big face who wants to promote and be that big representation of women’s MMA.

“That, to me, is you’re showing me nothing, but you’re telling me everything by not being that person that is letting everyone know that you’re fighting,” Peña continued. “I want to be that person. That’s my role, and I can do it better, and that’s why I believe I am going to be able to seal the deal on Saturday night and get that gold again.”

While Peña is hoping and evidently expecting to invigorate the division with a second reign, one which she hopes draws Amanda Nunes back from retirement to complete their trilogy, Pennington no doubt has other plans.

And should “Rocky” have her hand raised in the “Beehive State,” she’d have achieved a feat that “The Venezuelan Vixen” failed when she held the gold — recording a successful title defense.

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