Juliana Peña, a powerhouse in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, has checked off nearly every box in the world of mixed martial arts. From claiming victory on The Ultimate Fighter 18 to seizing the bantamweight title twice, and even managing a submission win over the formidable Amanda Nunes, Peña’s career is nothing short of impressive.
Recently, she sat down for a chat on the Overdogs Podcast, where she was asked about her most memorable career highlight. Her reflection might come as a surprise to some.
For Peña, the pinnacle of her journey was clinching victory on The Ultimate Fighter. “Winning The Ultimate Fighter was the standout moment for me because you had to battle through four opponents, almost like a last woman standing scenario,” Peña shared. “Being the first woman ever to win it, just like Forrest Griffin and Diego Sanchez did when they first started, gave it that extra significance.”
“The Ultimate Fighter occupies a unique and cherished place in my heart because that’s a piece of history that can never be altered,” she explained. “Being the inaugural female winner established my presence in the sport. Within UFC chronicles, being the first at something is major—it’s a personal milestone where I said, ‘This is who I am. I’m Julianna.’ That victory will forever be dear to me.”
Looking ahead, Peña is gearing up to defend her title at UFC 316. Set to take place on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, she’ll be facing off against the No. 2-ranked Kayla Harrison, promising an exciting matchup for fans.
