Appeal of UFC’s Julianna Peña is as subtle as a punch in the face
Julianna Peña has found there’s a way to overcome any experience deficiency in the UFC octagon.
“Confidence is everything,” Peña said. “It comes down to who wants it more, who’s going to continue to fight and make adjustments when the going gets tough.
“I’ve told myself, ‘You’re going to get in a fistfight. You’re going to go hit this girl in the face as hard as you can. And if you really want it, you’ll get your hand raised.’”
The same strategy applies Saturday when second-ranked women’s bantamweight Peña (9-2) meets top-ranked contender Valentina Shevchenko (13-2) in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Denver.
Fox televises the card beginning at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Peña, from Spokane, Wash., trained in Chicago for the third consecutive fight this camp following her UFC 200 victory over former title challenger Cat Zingano.
Saturday’s winner is expected to land a title shot at Amanda Nunes, who set up her title victory over Miesha Tate by defeating Shevchenko by unanimous decision in March.
Shevchenko, a multiple former Muay Thai champion, recovered to defeat former champion Holly Holm in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card at United Center in July.
“I like the matchup, classic striker versus grappler,” Peña said. “I want to fight the best in the world and see where I’m at. I knew I couldn’t become a Muay Thai champion in 30 days of training, so the most important thing is to stick to the basics and not worry about what Valentina does. Worry about what I do. And that’s bite down on my mouthpiece and keep coming forward until my hand’s raised.”
Peña, 27, came to prominence by winning the UFC’s reality-television competition, “The Ultimate Fighter,” in 2013, and she’s beaten Zingano and former top-10 contender Jessica Eye in her last two fights to land the main event.
“My will is what’s making them break. I want to wear them down, keep them frustrated, to be like a wet blanket on top of you,” Peña said. “It’s massively important [to be in the main event]. I’ve wanted that for a long time, my opportunity. It’s such a humbling experience to enjoy the ride and the process. I pass this test, I get a title shot.”
Her pairing of intensity and femininity makes Peña an ideal candidate to have her profile further heightened now that Beverly Hills talent agency WME-IMG owns the UFC.
“I don’t rely on my looks. I know it helps. It’s a male-dominated sport, so I definitely know looks might factor into whether some may watch a fight or not,” Peña said. “I embrace my feminity, love getting dolled up. I’m a beautiful woman who kicks [butt]. It’s a plus, but it’s just a little cherry on top.
“What matters most is to fight for the title. That would be an honor and a result of all the hard work I’ve put in, and all the hurdles I’ve had to overcome to get there.”
Twitter: @latimespugmire
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
