Julianna Peña, feeling disrespected as a 6-to-1 underdog despite being a two-time UFC bantamweight champion, is set to defend her title against favored challenger Kayla Harrison, emphasizing her diverse paths to victory and resilience in the face of doubt.
Julianna Peña, the reigning UFC bantamweight champ, is set to walk out second in Saturday’s co-main event. She’s held UFC gold twice, yet feels a tad disrespected as UFC 316 looms.
With just days to go before defending her title against Kayla Harrison at Prudential Center, Peña knows the odds aren’t in her favor. Remember when she shocked the world by submitting Amanda Nunes at UFC 269? Yeah, that was epic.
Despite her achievements, Peña doesn’t seem to get the same love as other champs. Even if she beats the favored Harrison, she’s not holding her breath for a change in perception.
“I thought beating the greatest of all time would earn me respect, but it didn’t,” Peña lamented. “It’s never enough. People always want more.”
Her stunning victory over Nunes lost some shine after their rematch at UFC 277, where Nunes reclaimed the title. With Nunes retired, Peña snagged the vacant title at UFC 307 with a tight win over Raquel Pennington.
Harrison’s no slouch, though. As America’s first judo gold medalist and a two-time PFL champ, she’s a formidable opponent. She’s 15-1 in MMA, with her only loss to Larissa Pacheco, whom she’s beaten twice before.
But Peña? She’s unfazed. “Being a 6-to-1 underdog as a champion is disrespectful,” she said. “Everyone’s counting me out, but that just means I’ve got nothing to lose.”
She’s all about the process, not the outcome. “When you’re expected to win in 10 seconds, that pressure can mess with your head,” Peña mused. “Being underestimated makes me dangerous.”
Peña’s win over Nunes came from outlasting her before a rear-naked choke in Round 2. She’s not predicting the same for Harrison but sees more paths to victory.
“If she wants a brawl, I’ll give her one,” Peña declared. “I’m dangerous everywhere. I’ve got multiple ways to win.”
“I can win off my back, the cage, or my feet. Harrison? She’s got one shot—25 minutes on top of me.”