Counting out Julianna Pena is rarely a good suggestion.
After reclaiming the bantamweight championship through a intently contested and considerably controversial split-decision win over Raquel Pennington final 12 months, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ will face one other powerful take a look at this Saturday night time at UFC 316.
Getting into the principle occasion highlight, Pena will defend her 135-pound crown towards two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champion, Kayla Harrison.
Dealing with one of many greatest challenges of her combined martial arts profession to date, Pena is treating her twelfth stroll to the Octagon no in a different way than the 11 that got here earlier than it.
“Each time I signal on that dotted line to get inside that Octagon with any of those opponents, they’re at all times, in my thoughts, the hardest problem that I’ve ever had,” Pena stated throughout an interview with Submission Radio. Each time I prepare for a struggle, I at all times say the identical factor: ‘That is the most important struggle of my life.’ And I don’t take it calmly. I don’t underestimate her talents, and I take her as an excessive menace, similar to I do each single considered one of my opponents.
Julianna Pena is no person’s cupcake
Because it stands, Harrison is a large favourite to return out on prime in New Jersey, with sportsbooks having her listed as excessive as -590. It’s a well-recognized spot for Pena, who has been doubted numerous instances in her profession.
“Everyone at all times thinks that I’m simply this layup and this cupcake that they’re going to have the ability to stroll throughout. The second they struggle me, and their eyes get as huge as plates, they notice this isn’t as simple as they thought it was going to be. That, such as you stated, is tough to arrange for.”
Pena, in fact, scored one of many greatest upsets in promotional historical past, defeating Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 to grow to be a world champion for the primary time in her profession.
Will ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ defy the chances as soon as once more?
