Two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion Juliana Peña has accomplished all there is to accomplish in mixed martial arts. She won The Ultimate Fighter 18, captured the bantamweight crown, lost it and won it back. She’s fought the highest level of competition and holds a submission win over Amanda Nunes.
During an appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, Peña was asked about her favorite career moment and the answer may surprise some.
“The best moment in my career was probably winning The Ultimate Fighter because you had to fight four people and it was like a last woman standing type of thing,” Peña said. “Also being the first ever. So it’s like Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez. They were the first ever to win The Ultimate Fighter. I was the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.”
“The Ultimate Fighter holds a really close near and dear spot to my heart because it’s something that can never be erased from history,” she continued. “I’ll always be the first woman to win. It was also something that kind of put my name on the map, kind of solidified who I am in the company. As far as UFC history goes, I’m the first to do it, so that one was a real special one for me because it was kind of my coming out party where I’m saying, ‘Hey, this is me. I’m Julianna.’ That will always be special.”
Peña is expected to put her title on the line at UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on June 7 against No. 2 ranked Kayla Harrison.
