Julianna Pena is now a UFC bantamweight champion once again. But in 2013, she managed to stir up even more attention by competing—and winning—in a local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament’s men’s division as a blue belt. Most mixed martial artists stick to their divisions, but Julianna has never been one to follow the norm.
Why did she enter the men’s division? It’s simple—there weren’t enough women competing that day, so she tested herself against opponents who, traditionally, are perceived as physically stronger. And yes, she handled it. While some have voiced their discontent, questioning why she chose this path or whether she was “particularly good” back then, the result speaks for itself.
Her performance in that tournament demonstrated not just skill, but the raw determination that defines her grappling style. She was not there to play by anyone’s rules. In an environment designed for sport-based grappling, her ability to face off against male competitors, all at her same belt level, showed a willingness to embrace challenges beyond the standard.
Fast forward to today, and she’s now a UFC champion. A lot can change in 11 years, but one thing’s certain—Pena hasn’t stopped pushing boundaries. Her success in that local BJJ tournament was a glimpse into the future. People have their opinions, some saying she’s not particularly good or that she doesn’t stand out. But opinions don’t change facts. And the fact is, back in 2013, she took on the men’s division and walked away with a win.
That tournament wasn’t just a test of her skills at the time; it was a preview of what was to come. She didn’t need the perfect environment to succeed, and that has carried over into her MMA career. After all, she’s not there to make people comfortable—she’s there to win.
Pena is upset with the media and commentators, feeling they were biased against her
She believes she clearly won rounds 1-3 and 5, only conceding round 4 to Pennington.
“When you throw less and land more, when you’re giving the other girl a bloody nose and a goose egg on her head, when you’re taking her down…you can’t tell that I lost the fight,” Pena stated.
The champion took particular issue with commentary focused on her not training at elevation, feeling commentators were fixated on that narrative. She urged fans to “rewatch the fight without all of the commentary bias” to see that she won.
Pena singled out Joe Rogan, saying she felt “heartbroken” seeing his reaction to the decision. She also expressed disappointment in Daniel Cormier and other commentators she considered friends for “trashing” her performance on air.
While acknowledging she may have played it safe due to elevation concerns, Pena defended her strategy of trying to outstrike Pennington rather than rely on takedowns. She maintains her strikes were more significant and damaging throughout the fight.
