UFC 316: Pena vs. Nunes – Can History Repeat?
- Despite holding the UFC women's bantamweight championship for the second time and defeating multiple former champions, Julianna Peña finds herself as a significant underdog heading into her...
- Growing up in Spokane, Wash., she was often the target of her older brother's playful wrestling matches.
- Her mother further reinforced this toughness, encouraging her to always stand up for herself.
Julianna Peña, a two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion, once again embraces the underdog role as she gears up to face Kayla Harrison at UFC 316. Throughout her career, Peña has thrived when defying expectations, fueled by an upbringing that instilled resilience and a never-back-down attitude. inspired by Holly Holm’s upset victory, Peña sees her underdog status as a prime chance to silence doubters and rewrite the narrative. her journey, marked by overcoming adversity, makes this fight a captivating battle of skill and will. Learn more about Pena’s strategy at UFC 316 with News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for the defiant champion.
Julianna Peña Embraces Underdog Status Ahead of UFC 316 Fight
Despite holding the UFC women’s bantamweight championship for the second time and defeating multiple former
champions, Julianna Peña finds herself as a significant underdog heading into her UFC 316 title defense against
Kayla Harrison in Newark, N.J.This familiar position fuels Peña,who has consistently defied expectations
throughout her career.
Peña’s journey has been marked by overcoming adversity. Growing up in Spokane, Wash., she was often the target
of her older brother’s playful wrestling matches. “He was a gigantic WWE fan, and he beat the snot out of me and
my two older sisters,” Peña said, recalling her childhood. “I was his favorite, because I would never cry, and,
even though he was so much bigger and stronger than me, I kept attacking him with everything I had.” This
early training instilled a sense of resilience that would serve her well in the octagon.
Her mother further reinforced this toughness, encouraging her to always stand up for herself. This upbringing
shaped Peña into a fighter who never backs down, irrespective of the odds.This underdog mentality has been a
constant throughout her career, notably in her last four fights. She notably defeated Amanda Nunes, despite
being a significant underdog, to claim the title. Although she lost the rematch, she regained the championship
by defeating Raquel Pennington, who was also favored to win.
The last time Peña entered a fight as the favorite was in 2021 against Sara McMann at UFC 257, an event headlined
by Conor McGregor’s return.Peña’s path to the UFC wasn’t easy either.After facing setbacks on the regional
scene, she won “The Ultimate fighter” Season 18, securing a UFC contract under the guidance of Miesha Tate. The
rivalry between Tate and ronda Rousey, the opposing coach, added extra intensity to the competition.
Peña recalls attending Rousey’s fight against Holly Holm in Australia, actively supporting Holm. “I was front
row, cheering Holly on, giving her all my energy,” Peña said. “When they entered the Octagon,I remember [Holm]
pacing back and forth in her corner. And I stood up at my seat and was pointing to her, yelling, ‘You got this!
You can do this!'” Holm’s stunning victory over Rousey, as a massive underdog, deeply inspired Peña.
“I was beyond ecstatic to see Holly do that. It was so inspiring to see,” Peña said. “The things I took away from
that fight were that the whole world can count you out, but as long as you have belief in yourself, you’re
capable of anything. And that nobody is invincible.”
These lessons proved invaluable when Peña challenged Nunes. The silence that followed her victory was a powerful
moment. “I find the sound of silence beautiful,” she said.”When you’re an underdog,it’s just an opportunity to
silence everybody who doubted you. There’s nothing better.” As she prepares to face Harrison, Peña is once again
embracing the underdog status, aiming to defy expectations and silence her critics. As of Wednesday, Peña is
a +500 underdog, according to ESPN BET.
What’s next
Julianna Peña will face Kayla Harrison at UFC 316, seeking to leverage her experiance as an underdog to secure
another victory and retain her UFC women’s bantamweight championship. The fight will test her resilience and
skill against a relatively untested opponent in Harrison, highlighting Peña’s journey and determination in the
UFC women’s bantamweight division.