Julianna Pena | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

UFC star Julianna Pena claims it’s a compliment being the ‘Most hated in the woman’s division’

Julianna Pena claims she's the most hated woman fighter in the UFC Former UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Pena knows people and other fighters dislike her, but she is fine with that….

Former UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Pena knows people and other fighters dislike her, but she is fine with that.

Pena has been full of trash talk which helps sell fights, but because of that, she also has taken shots from fans and other fighters. But, Pena says people calling her the most hated fighter in the women’s division is a compliment to her.

“The only big name I know is mine. That’s the only big name I know. That being said, I think it’s a compliment that I’m the most hated in the women’s division, that they all want to fight me. It’s not just her, it’s every single one of those gals. They always underestimate me, they think that I’m just some layup fight or they’re just going to walk all over me. And they’re always in for a rude awakening when that isn’t the case,” Pena said at the UFC Hall of Fame media scrum (via CageSidePress).

Pena hasn’t fought since July of 2022 when she dropped a decision to Amanda Nunes to lose her bantamweight title after she submitted Nunes to win the championship in one of the biggest upsets ever.

Julianna Pena Unsure Why Title Fight Hasn’t Been Announced

Julianna Pena is expected to fight Raquel Pennington for the women’s bantamweight title next time out.

However, the fight hasn’t been announced yet, and Pena isn’t sure why that is but confirms that the fight will be happening next.

Julianna Peña brands herself greatest female fighter of all time UFC — Mandatory Credit: MMA Junkie

“I said I was waiting to sign for it. They’re probably just making sure that both of us don’t show up like a bag of bones, doing all this promotion, and then one of us is going to fall out or something. I’m assuming that is one of the reasons,” Pena added.

Julianna Pena is currently 11-5 as a pro and is coming off a decision loss to Amanda Nunes. Pena is 7-3 in the UFC and also has notable wins over Cat Zingano, Germaine de Randamie, and Nunes.

B/R Pound-for-Pound UFC Rankings: July 2024

We’ve now passed the halfway point in 2024, and the UFC landscape is already drastically different than it was since the year started. The UFC has promoted…

Kayla Harrison calls out Julianna Peña for interim title fight at UFC 303 after debut win: ‘My time is now’

UFC bantamweight Kayla Harrison expresses interest in fighting on UFC 303 in June. This past weekend Harrison made a…

UFC bantamweight Kayla Harrison expresses interest in fighting on UFC 303 in June.

This past weekend Harrison made a successful debut in the UFC, completely dominating former champion Holly Holm. The fight would also mark the former Olympic gold medallist’s first at the bantamweight limit.

Harrison UFC 300 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Prior the bout, there had been real concerns around if Harrison would be able to make the weight as she has spent the majority of her career campaigning at lightweight. However, a very depleted Kayla Harrison would make her way to the scale and successfully make the 136lb limit for her bout against Holm.

After building a solid name for herself competing in the PFL, the win puts Harrison in a great position at the beginning of her UFC career and will likely be in a big fight next.

Kayla Harrison eyes UFC 303 return, Julianna Peña title fight

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Harrison even stated her willingness to make a quick turnaround, something which analysts had debated due to her likely needing time to do a healthy weight cut.

“I heard that ‘Rocky’s’ hurt all of the sudden, so if she can’t fight right now, I’m happy to fight whoever, this summer, for a title,” Harrison said. “Why not just an interim title? Then I’ll unify it, then I’ll fight Amanda. If it’s for a title, I will make myself available [for June 29]. I would love [UFC 303]. F—k it, my time is now. I like the sound of [Harrison vs. Pena]. There would be some good sh*t talking from me.”

Julianna Peña eyes title fight with Amanda Nunes or Irene Aldana in return from injury UFC 289 — Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports

You will likely hear lots of fighters arguing their case to be on the 303 card, as Conor McGregor is set to make his return against Michael Chandler in the main event.

Do you think Kayla Harrison will win a UFC title before she retires?

Kayla Harrison calls out Julianna Peña for interim title fight at UFC 303 after debut win: ‘My time is now’

UFC bantamweight Kayla Harrison expresses interest in fighting on UFC 303 in June. This past weekend Harrison made a…

UFC bantamweight Kayla Harrison expresses interest in fighting on UFC 303 in June.

After building a solid name for herself competing in the PFL, the win puts Harrison in a great position at the beginning of her UFC career and will likely be in a big fight next.

Kayla Harrison eyes UFC 303 return, Julianna Peña title fight

You will likely hear lots of fighters arguing their case to be on the 303 card, as Conor McGregor is set to make his return against Michael Chandler in the main event.

Do you think Kayla Harrison will win a UFC title before she retires?

Raquel Pennington eyes summer fight with UFC enemy Julianna Peña: ‘I’m so excited to finally punch her in the mouth’

Landing the vacant bantamweight championship last month at UFC 297, newly minted division best, Raquel Pennington has confirmed plans…

Landing the vacant bantamweight championship last month at UFC 297, newly minted division best, Raquel Pennington has confirmed plans for a summer return in a first title defense, in a grudge fight against former champion and fellow TUF alum, Julianna Peña.

Pennington, the newly-crowned bantamweight champion, co-headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing a one-sided decision shutout win over surging Brazilian grappling ace, Mayra Bueno Silva to win the vacant title.

As for Peña, The Ultimate Figher victor has been sidelined since 2022, suffering a one-sided decision loss of her own against common-foe, Amanda Nunes, dropping the bantamweight crown in a championship rematch.

And forced from a planned trilogy rubber match with Nunes at a pay-per-view event last June in ‘The Great White North’, Peña has been sidelined through injury, leaving her unable to fight the Brazilian at UFC 289.

Raquel Pennington welcomes summer fight with Julianna Peña

Planning her return to the Octagon in a title fight with Pennington in the aftermath of the Colorado native’s decision win over Bueno Silva, Peña’s wishes are set to be granted by the new gold holder, who plans a summer comeback to defend the title in the pair’s grudge match.

“At the end of the day, it’s exactly what I told Mayra (Bueno Silva) when we were getting ready to fight at the press conference: we were there and she started on, but our fists are going to do the talking,” Raquel Pennington told MMA Fighting. “It’s the same thing. You can keep running you mouth, you can keep saying all these things. I feel like Julianna (Peña) has a very delusional version of our history together, but it makes it fun.”

“It’s building a storyline, and the more she keeps talking and yapping, she’s selling things,” Raquel Pennington explained. “Good for you. But at the end of the day, our fists are going to talk and I’ll you what, this is a fight I’ve been wating for since 2013 and we were on The Ultimate Fighter. Somehow our time has not aligned, but obviously it’s coming, and I’m excited to finally punch her ass in the mouth. I will say that.”

Who wins in a summer title fight: Raquel Pennington or Julianna Peña?

Julianna Pena blasts Amanda Nunes after ‘The Lioness’ teases potential UFC comeback: ‘What a joke’

Julianna Pena knew Amanda Nunes couldn’t stay away for very long. Nunes hung up her gloves following a successful…

Julianna Pena knew Amanda Nunes couldn’t stay away for very long.

Nunes hung up her gloves following a successful bantamweight title defense against Irene Aldana in June, much to the chagrin of Pena who had been angling for a trilogy bout between the two. Nunes was in attendance for Raquel Pennington’s title-winning performance against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in Toronto and opened the door for a return to the Octagon during a backstage interview with Megan Olivi.

Pena, who notoriously booed as Amanda Nunes delivered her retirement speech last summer, was none-too-surprised to hear that ‘The Lioness’ is already eyeing a potential comeback.

“Here’s the thing that really chaps my ass,” Peña said on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “When I was at her last fight, I was booing because she was going into retirement and I was like, ‘Don’t go into retirement. We have literally the biggest fight in women’s history, a trilogy that’s never been done before. What are you doing saying you’re going to retire? What a joke.’

“It warrants a boo because she’s over there telling Megan Olivi that she’s coming out of retirement. So I was right, and it was ‘Mystic Peña’ once again. Like, they were going to get mad at me and all her fans are upset at me. ‘Why would you boo her? How dare you?’ But it’s like, how dare she? How dare she say that she’s retiring and then one women’s fight later now she’s saying she’s coming back. Get out of here.”

Will We See Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena 3?

The Venezuelan Vixen’ scored one of the biggest upsets in UFC history with a second-round rear-naked choke submission against Nunes to claim the bantamweight title in December 2021. Seven months later, Pena handed the title right back to Nunes in a lopsided unanimous decision loss that set the stage for an anticipated trilogy fight between the two 135-pounders.

With Julianna Pena slated to challenge Pennington for the bantamweight title this summer, it could once again put Nunes and the TUF alumnus on a collision course.

“Look, great for business, I’ve been trying to coax her into coming back this entire time.” Peña said. “It’s absolutely beautiful for everyone, and I knew she wasn’t going to be able to stay away. She was just doing that retirement for attention. It’s just ridiculous.”