Julianna Peña, known to fans as “The Venezuelan Vixen,” is one of the most resilient and dynamic fighters in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division. As the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter, a two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, and a consistent top contender, Peña’s journey from Spokane, Washington, to the top of the MMA world is a story of grit, determination, and family pride.
Julianna Peña’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Julianna Nicole Peña |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1989 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Place of Birth | Spokane, Washington, USA |
| College | Spokane Community College |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American (Venezuelan-Mexican descent) |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Turned Pro | May 2009 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 million |
| Salary (per fight) | Average $400,000–$500,000 (recent years) |
| Spouse | Married to Luis Alejandre |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | One daughter, Isabella |
| Instagram Profile | @venezuelanvixen |
Early Career
Julianna Peña began her MMA journey in Spokane, Washington, initially taking up cardio kickboxing to lose weight and channel her aggression. After just two amateur fights, both wins, she turned professional in May 2009 at age 20. Peña quickly built a reputation for her aggressive style and finished her first four pro opponents. Despite setbacks, including a serious accident and two consecutive losses, her tenacity caught the attention of UFC scouts, leading to her selection for The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.
Professional Career
Peña’s breakthrough came when she won The Ultimate Fighter 18, becoming the first woman to claim the title. Her UFC debut was a TKO victory over Jessica Rakoczy. However, her momentum was halted by a severe knee injury, sidelining her for nearly two years. Upon her return, she scored a Performance of the Night bonus with a first-round TKO over Milana Dudieva.
Peña’s career is marked by resilience—she rebounded from losses and injuries to defeat top-tier opponents like Cat Zingano and Amanda Nunes. Her submission win over Nunes at UFC 269 remains one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, earning her the bantamweight belt. She reclaimed the title in 2024 with a split decision over Raquel Pennington and continues to be a formidable force in the division.
Husband
Julianna Peña is married to Luis Alejandre, a respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and instructor who runs his own academy in Illinois. The couple values privacy and rarely shares details of their relationship publicly. Together, they have a daughter named Isabella, born in January 2018. Peña often shares moments with her daughter on social media but keeps her marriage largely out of the spotlight.
Julianna Peña’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Julianna Peña’s net worth is estimated at $2 million. This figure is primarily from her UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals. Her average guaranteed purse per fight now hovers around $400,000–$500,000, with her biggest paydays coming from championship bouts and high-profile matchups.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Year | Purse (Base + Bonus) |
| Jessica Rakoczy | TUF 18 Finale | 2013 | $16,000 |
| Milana Dudieva | UFC Fight Night 63 | 2015 | $20,000 |
| Jessica Eye | UFC 192 | 2015 | $24,000 |
| Cat Zingano | UFC 200 | 2016 | $28,000 |
| Valentina Shevchenko | UFC on FOX 23 | 2017 | $150,000 |
| Nicco Montano | UFC Fight Night 155 | 2019 | $48,000 |
| Germaine de Randamie | UFC on ESPN 16 | 2020 | $30,000 |
| Sara McMann | UFC 257 | 2021 | $160,000 |
| Amanda Nunes | UFC 269 | 2021 | $350,000 |
| Amanda Nunes | UFC 277 | 2022 | $400,000 |
| Raquel Pennington | UFC 307 | 2024 | $400,000 |
| Kayla Harrison | UFC 316 | 2025 | $500,000 (estimated) |
Endorsements
- Jones Soda Co. (official sponsorship announced on her Instagram)
- No B.S. Skincare (partnership with Simply Better Brands)
- NFT Ventures (cage-side NFT pass collaboration)
- Venum/Reebok (UFC official outfitting sponsors)
- Podcast and media appearances related to MMA and fitness
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event | Date |
| Kayla Harrison | Loss | Submission (R2) | UFC 316 | Jun 7, 2025 |
| Raquel Pennington | Win | Split Decision | UFC 307 | Oct 5, 2024 |
| Amanda Nunes | Loss | Unanimous Decision | UFC 277 | Jul 30, 2022 |
| Amanda Nunes | Win | Submission (R2) | UFC 269 | Dec 11, 2021 |
| Germaine de Randamie | Loss | Submission (R3) | UFC Fight Island 4 | Oct 3, 2020 |
| Valentina Shevchenko | Loss | Submission (R2) | UFC on FOX 23 | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Cat Zingano | Win | Unanimous Decision | UFC 200 | Jul 9, 2016 |
| Jessica Eye | Win | Unanimous Decision | UFC 192 | Oct 3, 2015 |
| Milana Dudieva | Win | TKO (R1) | UFC Fight Night 63 | Apr 4, 2015 |
| Jessica Rakoczy | Win | TKO (R1) | TUF 18 Finale | Nov 30, 2013 |
FAQs
1. Who is Julianna Peña?
Julianna Peña is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s 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.
2. What is Julianna Peña’s MMA record?
As of May 2025, Julianna Peña has a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 5 losses, with victories by knockout, submission, and decision.
3. When was Julianna Peña born and how old is she?
Julianna Peña was born on August 19, 1989, making her 35 years old as of 2025.
4. What are Julianna Peña’s most notable achievements in MMA?
Peña is recognized for defeating Amanda Nunes by submission in 2021 to win the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. She has also reclaimed the title by defeating Raquel Pennington in 2024.
5. What is Julianna Peña’s fighting style and stance?
Peña fights with an orthodox stance and utilizes a combination of boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling in her MMA approach.
6. Has Julianna Peña suffered any significant injuries?
She has experienced several injuries, including a severe right knee injury in 2014 and, most recently, injuries to her left elbow and left shoulder, resulting in an indefinite medical suspension after UFC 316 in June 2025.
7. Who are some of Julianna Peña’s notable opponents?
Peña has fought high-profile fighters such as Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison, Valentina Shevchenko, Raquel Pennington, and Cat Zingano.
8. Has Julianna Peña taken breaks from MMA competition?
Yes, Peña took an indefinite hiatus in 2017 due to pregnancy and returned to competition in 2019. She has also missed fights due to injuries.
9. What is Julianna Peña’s background and heritage?
She was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and is of Mexican and Venezuelan descent.
10. What is Julianna Peña’s current status in the UFC?
After losing her title to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025, Peña is under indefinite medical suspension and must receive orthopedic clearance before returning to competition.