Julianna Peña is a tough UFC bantamweight fighter known as “The Venezuelan Vixen.” She’s made history with epic upsets and title wins, pulling off one of MMA’s biggest shocks by beating Amanda Nunes.
Julianna Peña’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Julianna Nicole Peña |
| Nickname | The Venezuelan Vixen |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1989 |
| Age | 36 years |
| Birthplace | Spokane, Washington, USA |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight Class | Women’s Bantamweight (135 lbs) |
| Reach | 69″ (175 cm) |
| Team | Sikjitsu |
| Pro Debut | May 9, 2009 |
| Current Ranking | Former champion |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Luis Alejandre |
| Children | 1 daughter, Isabella |
| @venezuelanvixen |
Peña balances her intense fighting career with family life in Spokane. Her husband Luis, a BJJ instructor, supports her training, and daughter Isabella keeps things grounded amid the chaos. She’s stayed low-key on personal faith matters.
Early Career
Julianna Peña started MMA young, training in Spokane after a rough youth. She turned pro in 2009 with quick wins like submissions over Raylene Harvey and Robyn Dunne. By 2011-2012, she racked up victories in CageSport and COTC, but hit bumps with losses to Sarah Moras and DeAnna Bennett. Her big break came on TUF 18 in 2013, where she submitted Shayna Baszler, Gina Mazany, and Sarah Moras to reach the finale. (78 words)
Professional Career
Peña burst into the UFC via TUF 18 Finale in 2013, TKO’ing Jessica Rakoczy for her octagon debut win. She followed with a TKO over Milana Dudieva, earning Performance of the Night, then decisions against Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano at UFC 200. Losses to Valentina Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie tested her, but she bounced back with wins over Nicco Montano, Sara McMann, and a historic submission of Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 to claim the bantamweight title.
She lost the rematch to Nunes at UFC 277, then shocked everyone with a split decision over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in 2024 to regain gold. Her latest was a submission loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025 amid injuries; she’s recovering for a 2026 return. Record stands at 11-5 pro.
Husband
Julianna Peña is happily married to Luis Alejandre, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach who’s been her rock through camps and title runs. They’ve got one kid together, daughter Isabella born in January 2018, who Peña calls her “Boss Baby” and often shares cute moments with on social media. No girlfriend history; it’s all family-focused these days.
Julianna Peña’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Julianna Peña’s net worth sits around $2 million. This comes mostly from UFC purses, bonuses, PPV shares from big title fights, and some side endorsements. Her champ status and upsets keep the money flowing, even with injuries slowing her down lately. Projections put her higher if she fights more this year.
Fight Purses
| Fight/Event | Purse (Guaranteed Base + Bonuses/PPV Est.) |
| TUF 18 Finale (2013) | $16,000 |
| vs. Milana Dudieva (2015) | $80,000 |
| vs. Sara McMann (2021) | $95,000 |
| UFC 269 vs. Nunes (2021) | $332,000 |
| UFC 277 vs. Nunes (2022) | $250,000+ |
| UFC 307 vs. Pennington (2024) | $500,000 est. |
| UFC 316 vs. Harrison (2025) | $1,390,000 total est. |
Career Earnings
| Period/Source | Total Earnings Est. |
| UFC Career Total (to 2025) | $1.5-2 million |
| Pre-UFC/Amateur | Minimal (local shows) |
| Bonuses (POTN x2) | $100,000+ |
| PPV Points (Title Fights) | $500,000+ |
| Cumulative w/ Endorsements | $2M net (2026) |
Endorsements
Julianna Peña keeps her endorsement game solid outside the cage, teaming up with brands that fit her gritty vibe. She’s got deals with Jones Soda, where she rocks their logo on fight gear and pushes flavors; Columbia Care for cannabis products; Wesana Health for wellness; and Fyllo tech for whatever they’re cooking.
These kicked off big after her Nunes upset, adding nice cash without stealing focus from training. No massive Nike or Reebok-level stuff yet, but her champ cred opens doors for more in 2026.
Achievements
| Achievement | Details/Event |
| UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion | Won UFC 269 (2021), regained UFC 307 (2024) |
| Performance of the Night | vs. Milana Dudieva (2015), vs. Amanda Nunes (2021) |
| TUF 18 Winner | Defeated Jessica Rakoczy in finale (2013) |
| First Latina UFC Champ | Historic Nunes upset |
| UFC 200 Win | Beat Cat Zingano |
Fight Record
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method (Round/Time) |
| Jun 7, 2025 | Kayla Harrison | UFC 316 | Loss | Sub (R2, 4:55) |
| Oct 5, 2024 | Raquel Pennington | UFC 307 | Win (Title) | Split Dec (R5) |
| Jul 30, 2022 | Amanda Nunes | UFC 277 | Loss | Unan Dec (R5) |
| Dec 11, 2021 | Amanda Nunes | UFC 269 | Win (Title) | Sub (R2, 3:26) |
| Jan 23, 2021 | Sara McMann | UFC 257 | Win | Sub (R3, 3:39) |
| Oct 3, 2020 | Germaine de Randamie | UFC FN | Loss | Tech Sub (R3, 3:25) |
| Jan 28, 2017 | Valentina Shevchenko | UFC FN | Loss | Sub (R2, 4:29) |
| Jul 9, 2016 | Cat Zingano | UFC 200 | Win | Unan Dec |
| Nov 30, 2013 | Jessica Rakoczy | TUF 18 Finale | Win | TKO (R1, 4:59) |
FAQs
1. Who is Julianna Peña?
Julianna Peña is an American MMA fighter nicknamed “The Venezuelan Vixen,” competing in UFC women’s bantamweight. She is a former two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter.
2. What is Julianna Peña’s UFC record?
Peña has a professional MMA record of 13-6-0. In the UFC, key wins include submissions over Amanda Nunes and Sara McMann; recent loss by submission to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316.
3. How did Julianna Peña win her first UFC title?
Peña upset Amanda Nunes via rear-naked choke submission in round 2 at UFC 269 in December 2021. She capitalized on strikes, a takedown, and back control to claim the bantamweight belt.
4. What is Julianna Peña’s background and heritage?
Born August 19, 1989, in Spokane, Washington, Peña has American, Venezuelan, Mexican, and Native American heritage. Her nickname honors her Venezuelan father’s bloodline, given by her first coach.
5. How did Peña become famous initially?
Peña won TUF 18 in 2013 by TKO’ing Jessica Rakoczy in the finale. She dominated the tournament, including a guillotine submission over Sarah Moras in the semis.
6. What are Peña’s physical stats?
Peña stands 5’7″ (some sources say 5’6″), weighs 135 lbs in bantamweight, fights orthodox stance. She trains with Valle Flow Striking team.
7. Does Julianna Peña have a family?
Peña is married to BJJ black belt Luis Alejandre. They have one daughter, Isabella Cruz, born January 18, 2018, who trains martial arts and is nicknamed “Boss Baby.”
8. What was Peña’s second title win?
Peña regained the bantamweight title via split decision over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024. It was a five-round war; she defended it before losing to Harrison.
9. What are recent injuries for Peña?
Before UFC 316 in June 2025, Peña fought with a fractured thumb, torn elbow ligament, and bone fragments. She underwent surgery and has no return before 2026.
10. What is next for Julianna Peña?
Post-loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316, Peña aims to return after recovery, targeting UFC’s July 2026 White House event. No opponent confirmed; she ranks #1 bantamweight.