Julianna Peña shocked the world at UFC 269 when she dethroned then-bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes. With the percentages closely stacked towards her, “The Venezuelan Vixen” acquired the job executed through second-round submission to develop into the brand new queen at 135 kilos.
A couple of months later, “The Lioness” spoke about the said fight, attributing her unusually subpar efficiency to an damage throughout camp.
“I suffered some accidents alongside the way in which. Each athlete has accidents, there’s no escape from that. My accidents had been an enormous hindrance all through my complete camp, although. I used to be cussed and stated we’d do it anyway, I stated it was going to work,” she stated, whereas additionally stating that she had a “damaged coaching camp.”
Peña had the prospect to reply to Nunes’ statements when not too long ago requested about it by KREM, an area media outlet in her hometown of Spokane, Washington. Based on her, many individuals are nonetheless doubting the legitimacy of her victory that night time.
“They acquired each excuse within the ebook for why I gained. And so, my complete premise behind desirous to do the rematch was simply to solidify that I’m right here to remain. That that is my time, that is my period. The Amanda period is finished. It’s the Julianna Peña period now,” Peña stated.
“I’ve had two knee surgical procedures, one on every knee. I’ve by no means used me getting choked unconscious, I used to be like, ‘Oh, it was due to my knees.’
“You gotta say no matter you possibly can to inspire your self and to pump your self up and to sleep at night time to be able to say, ‘Sure, it was my knees, and subsequent time, I’m gonna get it executed.’
“You gotta say no matter you gotta say, and I perceive that.”
As the present champion, Peña isn’t planning to go anyplace, particularly after experiencing all the pieces that comes with being on the high.
“It’s my life’s work. That is what I’ve been doing for the final 13 years. It wasn’t to be on the backside of the checklist, it was to be on the high of the mountain.
“Issues look completely different on the high of the mountain, and my job is to guarantee that anyone making an attempt to climb up will get kicked off.”
Peña and Nunes are the opposing coaches for the continued thirtieth season of The Final Fighter. They’re scheduled for a rematch at UFC 277 on July thirtieth in Dallas.
