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Julianna Pena is coming off a spectacular 2021. She shocked the MMA world at UFC 269 when she submitted Amanda Nunes to become the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion. The former TUF winner was a significant underdog against Nunes and overcame the odds.
‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ will now garner plenty of interest for her next fight. The win over Nunes made her a much bigger star in the sport, and rightfully so. After pulling off an upset of that magnitude, more fans could begin rallying behind her as she defends the title. There are plenty of options for her going forward.
She could decide to defend her title against the top contenders at bantamweight. Another option would see her move either to 145lbs or 125lbs in an attempt of achieving double champion status. This list will look at five possible opponents for Julianna Pena in 2022.
#5. Pena vs. Irene Aldana
Third-ranked women’s bantamweight Irene Aldana could be a possible opponent for the champion at some point. She is coming off a first-round TKO win over Yana Kunitskaya and has won three of her last four bouts. Aldana’s only hurdle in getting a bout with the champion is that she missed weight in her win over Kunitskaya.
‘Robles’ is currently scheduled to fight fourth-ranked Aspen Ladd in April at UFC 273. She is currently in the mix at 135lbs and a win over Ladd would get her one step closer to a title shot.
Even if she doesn’t get a title opportunity, she could still fight 'The Venezuelan VIxen' should the champion lose the title. Aldana is a great striker and times her punches rather than throwing recklessly in hopes of earning a quick finish.
#4. Pena vs. Holly Holm
Another possible opponent for Pena could be ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ Holly Holm. Despite being inactive since October 2020, the former women’s bantamweight champion has won back-to-back fights. She is currently the second-ranked women’s bantamweight and could earn a title shot if Amanda Nunes decides to take time off.
Holm would make for a great matchup with the champion. In fact, the two were originally scheduled to compete last year on a UFC Fight Night card. However, Holm sustained an injury and was forced off the event.
‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is one of the best strikers in women’s MMA and could pose many problems. Both fighters share something in common in that they’ve both pulled off massive upsets that’ve shocked the MMA world. Holm famously knocked out Ronda Rousey in front of 56,000+ fans in Melbourne, Australia at UFC 193.
#3. Pena vs. Kayla Harrison
Another possible opponent is two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. The PFL lightweight champion has been unbeatable in her MMA career. She has a 12-0 record and is currently the most sought-after free agent in the sport.
Prior to UFC 269, Nunes retaining her title and setting up a fight with Harrison seemed like a forgone conclusion. That wasn’t meant to be and the lucrative superfight is off for the time being. However, Pena and Harrison have since gone back-and-forth in the media, which could eventually lead to a fight between the two.
Since the former Olympian competed at 155lbs, a bout with “The Venezuelan Vixen’ would realistically take place at 145lbs. A fight between the two wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea as the promotion. The champion competing in a one-off bout at featherweight would provide more time for another contender to emerge at 135lbs.
#2. Pena vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2
Another interesting possibility for Pena would be a champion vs. champion bout against Valentina Shevchenko. ‘Bullet’ is the reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion and could pursue a rematch with the new women’s bantamweight champion.
The two champions fought one another at UFC on Fox 23 back in 2017. It was viewed as a title-eliminator, with the winner earning a shot against Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. Shevchenko submitted ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ with an armbar at 4:29 of the second-round to earn a crack at the belt.
It would be interesting to see how a rematch would unfold. ‘Bullet’ is the superior striker. However, anything is possible if the two find themselves in the clinch or against the cage. Based on successful title-defenses, the UFC would likely allow Shevchenko to select the weight-class that the bout is contested in.
#1. Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2
The most likely fight to take place will be the rematch with Amanda ‘Lioness’ Nunes. UFC 269 will be talked about for years to come because of the incredible upset that took place. ‘Lioness’ was a heavy favorite and had a potential fight with Kayla Harrison waiting if she retained her title.
It was a tale of two fights, with the champion controlling the first round, but getting completely outworked in the second. ‘Lioness’ then found herself against the fence and ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ took advantage of the positioning and completed the takedown. She submitted Nunes with a rear-naked choke to become the new women’s bantamweight champion.
The rematch is expected to garner more interest due to the unexpected outcome of the first bout. What makes the rematch more appealing is the possibility of it being contested for Nunes’ UFC women’s featherweight championship. There’s certainly going to be more intrigue with fans curious to see if history repeats itself and Pena becomes a double champion.
