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Julianna Peña

Julianna Peña is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight division.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Julianna Peña is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight division. She is a former two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and was the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.

Early life

Peña was born in Spokane, Washington, on August 19, 1989. Public profiles describe her as American and identify her as a professional mixed martial artist.

Mixed martial arts career

Peña built her reputation in the UFC, where she became the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter. She later captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title and is recognized as a two-time champion.

Style and physical profile

Her listed fighting stance is orthodox, and her usual competition weight class is bantamweight at 135 pounds. ESPN and UFC stats also list her at 5 ft 6 in tall.

Rankings and records

As of 2026, she has remained a prominent bantamweight contender in published rankings. Public MMA databases and UFC stats list her professional record at 13–6–0.

Key facts

  • Competes in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
  • Former two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
  • First woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.
  • Nicknamed “The Venezuelan Vixen.”
  • Orthodox stance, 5 ft 6 in tall, 135 lb competition weight.
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Canadian context

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources; she is primarily relevant to Canadian readers as a major UFC women’s bantamweight fighter and titleholder.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Julianna Peña?
She is an American professional mixed martial artist who fights in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
What is Julianna Peña known for?
She is known for becoming the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter and for being a two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
What is Julianna Peña’s nickname?
Her nickname is “The Venezuelan Vixen.”
When was Julianna Peña born?
She was born on August 19, 1989.
What weight class does Julianna Peña compete in?
She competes at women’s bantamweight, which is listed at 135 pounds.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julianna_Pe%C3%B1a
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, UFC bantamweight competition, two-time champion status, first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2951361/julianna-pena
    Supports: Nickname, height, weight, stance, team, birthdate, division.
  3. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/julianna-pena-the-venezuelan-vixen
    Supports: Nickname, birthplace/fighting-out-of details, height, reach, and career profile.
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/stats/_/id/2951361/julianna-pena
    Supports: Height, weight, stance, birthdate, nickname, and stats profile.
  5. UFC Stats — http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/3253b16d38ae087d
    Supports: Record, height, weight, reach, stance, and date of birth.
  6. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julianna_Pe%C3%B1a
    Supports: Birthplace, UFC bantamweight title status, and pound-for-pound ranking reference.