Julianna Peña, a seasoned veteran in the MMA octagon, having faced some of the sport’s best female fighters, expresses her strongest desire to defeat her next potential opponent.
Despite no official confirmation of a bout with top contender Kayla Harrison, all indications suggest this highly anticipated match is on the horizon. Peña recently reclaimed her UFC bantamweight title at UFC 307 in October, while Harrison secured a victory over Ketlen Vieira on the same card, solidifying her path to a championship opportunity.
During a podcast appearance, Peña addressed the question of avenging past losses against notable opponents like Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko, and Germaine de Randamie. However, she unequivocally stated that a victory over Harrison would surpass all of these.
“Kayla Harrison, without a doubt,” Peña asserted. “Because it’s the most relevant, the most current challenge. I’m focused on the present and future, not dwelling on the past. Kayla Harrison is who I’m targeting, she’s my goal, and defeating her would mean the most to me right now.”
Peña also referenced her underdog status in the past, recalling her victory over Amanda Nunes where she was an 11-to-1 underdog, suggesting the current 7-to-1 odds against her are manageable.
This statement might surprise some, considering Peña’s repeated calls for a trilogy fight with Nunes after her retirement. Peña famously upset Nunes to win her first title at UFC 269 in December 2021, but Nunes regained the title in their rematch at UFC 277 seven months later. While Nunes has hinted at a possible return, she currently seems content in retirement.
Peña seems to have shifted her focus from Nunes to Harrison, although she acknowledges that negotiations are still needed to finalize their fight.
“Everyone anticipates our fight,” Peña stated. “It’s widely recognized as the biggest fight in women’s MMA history, promising to be exciting and highly anticipated. It’s not a secret that Kayla and I are expected to fight.”
“The date and location are yet to be announced. Key elements like contracts and venues are still being worked out to ensure the fight happens. But as for who I’m fighting, it’s clear to everyone it’s Kayla.”
Depending on the source, Peña is considered a significant underdog, with odds as high as 5-to-1, while Harrison is a heavy favorite at -700. Peña notes this isn’t new to her, as she often feels underestimated despite being a two-time UFC champion.
She offered her perspective on why oddsmakers underestimate her, suggesting this very reason might be her advantage on fight night.
“I believe one reason I’m often seen as an underdog is that I may not be the most technically perfect fighter,” Peña explained. “Perhaps my techniques aren’t always textbook, unlike those who have trained martial arts from a young age. I started punching at 19, without a background in wrestling or judo like many others, so maybe I lack their extensive experience.”
“However, I possess a unique quality that sets me apart: my mindset and mental fortitude. My grit and unwavering self-belief allow me to push beyond perceived limits. I believe in my capabilities, and this mental toughness – that ‘no matter what you do, I’ll keep coming at you relentlessly’ attitude – is incredibly difficult to overcome. When opponents throw everything at me and I respond with ‘Is that all you’ve got?’, it’s mentally crushing for them. They may wonder what it takes to stop me, but I’m like the Terminator – you’d have to decapitate me to make me stop. This relentless, never-give-up attitude is the foundation of my success. I might get knocked down, but you’ll have to deal with what I do next. I might be taken down, but you’ll have to worry about my elbows and punches because I won’t stay down.”
