Julianna Peña regains the UFC bantamweight title with a split decision win

SALT LAKE CITY – Spokane native Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña returned to the UFC Octagon in grand fashion after more than two years since her last fight.

Peña defeated Raquel Pennington by split decision to regain her UFC bantamweight championship.

Peña lost the championship to Amanda Nunes on July 30, 2022. Since then, she has not had another fight in the UFC.

She was originally scheduled to challenge Nunes for the title again at UFC 289, but dropped out a month before the fight after breaking ribs during training. The loss ended a five-fight win streak for Pennington (16-10) that dates back to 2020.

Peña dominated the early rounds. She dragged Pennington to the canvas in the second round and scored another takedown in the third after sweeping her leg. Both times Pennington struggled to free himself from her grasp.

Pennington briefly changed the momentum when he knocked down a vicious right hook in the fourth round. She was the better striker for five rounds, but it wasn't enough to win.

It is now likely that the 35-year-old Peña will defend her newly won title against Kayla Harrison in the new year.

This is the second title reign for the Mount Spokane High School graduate.