Julianna Pena will make her second attempt at the women’s bantamweight title this weekend at UFC 307. She is scheduled to fight an old rival and reigning champion, Raquel Pennington, in the five-round co-main event. The ‘Venezuelan Vixen’ has shared some details about their long-standing rivalry ahead of the fight.
Pena and Pennington were on Team Miesha Tate versus Team Ronda Rousey in season 18 of TUF. Despite their appearances on the show, the two female bantamweights never fought. During a recent interview, Pena reflected on her experience on TUF 18. It is safe to say that the former champion didn’t appreciate Pennington from that time.
Raquel and I have had our history of little spats. If you watch The Ultimate Fighter, she was doing things and saying things that I disagreed with…I’m doing all of your dishes, I’m giving you makeovers, I’m teaching you how to walk like a runway model. Why are you so horrible to me? Why are you making my life a living hell…this has been 13 years in the making.
Julianna Pena via SHAK MMA
Julianna Pena openly stated that she intended to make Raquel Pennington pay for her previous wrongdoings. She plans to finish their rivalry when they square off this weekend at UFC 307. Around a decade later, fate finally brought them together for a long-awaited fight inside the Octagon.
Despite her rivalry with ‘Rocky,’ Pena went on to win the TUF season by defeating Team Rousey’s Jessica Rakocz via first-round knockout. On the other hand, Pennington suffered an injury and had to withdraw her name from the show. Now, the tables have turned and Pennington has what Pena wants, and the rivalry has added another layer to the fight.
UFC veteran predicts Julianna Pena vs. Raquel Pennington
Julianna Pena vs. Raquel Pennington is definitely one of the most intriguing fights in the UFC 307 fight card. Pennington has been more active, most recently competing at UFC 297. She beat Mayra Bueno Silva to capture the belt. Meanwhile, Pena last contested at UFC 277, losing her championship to Amanda Nunes in a rematch.
Pena was out of the octagon for two years due to an injury and is ready to get back her title. Ahead of the fight, Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman recently reviewed the fight on their YouTube channel. Cejudo stated that Pena has the ability to pull an upset due to her massive experience against tough opponents like Nunes.
Julianna Pena’s a freaking dog, dude. Their styles are somewhat identical…Similar sizes, 5’7 and 5’6, man, I’m gonna go with the underdog. I’m gonna go with Julianna Pena even though it’s been a couple years. She beat the GOAT.
Henry Cejudo via Pound 4 Pound Podcast
Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena preview 🍿 pic.twitter.com/tl8ICjrDrV
— Pound 4 Pound (@pound4poundshow) September 30, 2024
Usman on the other hand had a different opinion and picked Pennington to take the win home. According to the former welterweight champion, the Colorado native has more tools in her arsenal to beat Julianna Pena. As fans offer their interesting predictions for the fight, only time will tell who has the upper hand.
