UFC Champion Julianna Peña Faces Underdog Fight at UFC 316

Newark, New Jersey — Julianna Peña, the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion, will defend her title on Saturday at UFC 316. Peña, who has won three of her last four fights, is entering the bout as a betting underdog against a relatively new contender, making this her fourth consecutive fight in that position.

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Peña’s journey to the top has been marked by resilience. As the youngest of four, she often faced her older brother’s rough antics. “He was a gigantic WWE fan, and he beat the snot out of me and my two older sisters,” Peña shared. “I was his favorite, because I would never cry, and I kept attacking him with everything I had.” This determination became ingrained in her, thanks to a mother who instilled a fighting spirit in her children. “You will stand up for yourself,” Peña recalls her mother telling her.

Peña has consistently defied expectations in her career, notably overcoming long odds to defeat Amanda Nunes in 2021. Despite a rematch loss to Nunes in 2022, she regained her title last October, again against Nunes, who was favored in their bout. Peña’s underdog status is not new; she hasn’t entered a fight as a favorite since defeating in January 2021.

Reflecting on her career, Peña recalls pivotal moments that shaped her belief in herself as a fighter. One significant influence was witnessing Holly Holm‘s stunning upset over Ronda Rousey in 2015. “I was beyond ecstatic to see Holly do that. It was so inspiring to see,” she 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.”

Peña aims to prove her worth once more when she enters the Octagon against her opponent this weekend. As of mid-week, the odds show her as a substantial underdog. “When you’re an underdog, it’s just an opportunity to silence everybody who doubted you,” Peña said. A victory could shape her career and solidify her legacy in the sport.