Julianna Peña, the Venezuelan “Vixen” who was crowned bantamweight world champion in the UFC

• The martial arts fighter, known as the “Venezuelan Vixen,” is ranked No. 6 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Julianna Peña, of Venezuelan roots, was crowned world champion in the women’s bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by defeating the American Raquel Pennington.

Known as the Venezuelan “Vixen”, she won by a split jury decision in the fight held at the Delta Center in Utah, United States, on October 5.

The American, with a Venezuelan father and Mexican mother, managed to regain the title she won in 2021 after the meeting with the Brazilian Amanda Nunes and lost it a year later during a rematch.

Where does your Venezuelan Vixen nickname come from?

Peña explained in August, through his social networks, that the name “Venezuelan Vixen” was given to him by his coach when he started in the UFC as a tribute to his Venezuelan, Mexican and Native American roots. Vixen is one of the DC Comics heroines.

Subsequently, the Brazilian retired so the women’s bantamweight belt was left without an owner and was claimed by Pennington. Peña accepted the duel and turned out to be the winner of the fight.

Photo: Courtesy Sportsnet

According to the sports media ESPNthe final statistics were even for both fighters. However, Peña managed to hit 123 shots over Pennington’s 112.

What convinced the judges of the decision, although divided, to give the victory to the athlete with Venezuelan roots, was two takedowns by Peña and a submission attempt.

What awaits Julianna Peña after this triumph in the UFC?

By being crowned champion of her division, Peña managed to improve her record to 12-5 with three knockouts and five submissions, according to specialized portals.

Now the martial artist could fight against the American Kayla Harrison, who is ranked number 4 in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings.

The “Venezuelan Vixen” is currently number 6 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings, although after this victory she is expected to rise to number 5.

Photo: Courtesy UFC

Before the fight with Pennington, Peña declared to several media outlets that her priorities for the future were clear, after the time she spent away from the rings: continue obtaining titles.

“They all want to fight me and talk to try to provoke me; It happens since The Ultimate Fighter. So I wait for you. “I was born to fight for the things I believe in,” he said in July during an interview with independent journalist Ariel Helwani.

Regarding her future fights, the fighter confessed that she hopes to face Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison again.

In addition to being a martial arts fighter, Peña has also served as a commentator for Combate Americas since 2019, a company that promotes mixed martial arts (MMA) fights starring Hispanics.

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