As of 2022, Julianna Pena’s estimated net worth is $2 million. Julianna Pena is an American mixed martial artist best known in the ring as “The Venezuelan Vixen.” She is The Ultimate Fighter’s first female champion and the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
She now competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight category. She began her cardio kickboxing training in 2008, and in 2009, she participated in her first amateur fight. Pea made her Ultimate Fighter debut in the Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale, where she defeated Jessica Rakoczy to become the first female winner.
Pena presently has an 11-win MMA record, which includes 3 knockouts, 5 submissions, 3 decisions, and 5 losses. Pea recently competed against and defeated Amanda Nunes at UFC 269, earning her largest payday of $332,000 in the process. As of May 2022, she is third in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Julianna Pena Childhood
Julianna Nicole Pena was born in Spokane, Washington on August 19, 1989. Pena grew up in Spokane with her three siblings. Grace Pena, a former KREM 2 reporter, and meteorologist is her younger sister.
She attended Spokane Community College after graduating from Mt. Spokane High School in 2007. She started with aerobic kickboxing to shed weight and manage her aggressiveness, then moved on to mixed martial arts.
Julianna Pena Career Salary
Since 2010, she is the only competitor to have defeated Amanda Nunes. At UFC 269 vs Nunes, she received her highest compensation of $332,000 (which included her regular $125,000 salary, $125,000 victory bonus, $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and $32,000 incentive pay for the fight week).
Pea got $95,000 for defeating Sara McMann McMann through submission in the third round of UFC 257 in 2021. Pea received $16,000 for her debut UFC match at UFC Fight Night: Team Rousey against Team Tate after taking first place in the women’s bantamweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 18.
MMA Professional Career
Pena debuted in professional MMA in 2009. She had a 2-0 amateur record at the time. She, on the other hand, won each of her four professional battles. In a 140-pound catchweight battle, she was defeated by future opponent Sarah Moras The Ultimate Fighter 18 cast member. She was forced to miss ten months of competition due to a tragic tragedy.
Pena got chosen for the Ultimate Fighter tournament in 2013. She competed against Gina Mazany there and won by unanimous decision. She sustained a significant injury, causing her to lose the match against Saray Moras.
She made her professional debut in the UFC in 2013, defeating Jessica Rakoczy by TKO. Her right knee was damaged again the following year, forcing her to miss the rest of the season.
The bout between Pena and Nunes for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship was called off after Amanda Nunes tested positive for Covid-19. In the second round, Pea won the next scheduled fight by rear-naked choking the opponent. Many fans consider it to be one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Pena was defeated by Amanda Nunes in a rematch for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight title at UFC 277 on July 30, 2022.
Julianna Pena Personal Life
Pena is married to jiu-jitsu expert Luis Alejandre from Brazil. He has previously assisted the US army and police forces with tactical hand-to-hand guidance. He currently owns and operates the Stronghold Jiu-jitsu Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Isabella Alejandre is their daughter from their marriage.
After an argument with the bartender, Pena was arrested in Spokane, Washington in 2015 and charged with two counts of assault. A judge then granted her a stipulation order of continuance, meaning that if Pea did not have any other occurrences for a year, the lawsuit would be withdrawn.
Julianna Pena Net Worth
Julianna Pena’s net worth is projected to reach $2 million as of 2022. Her UFC fighting career and brand endorsement deals account for the majority of her wealth. She is one of the top female MMA fighters and has earned up to $799,500 over her career.
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Endorsement Deal
Pena’s great MMA career resulted in a few big endorsement deals. Jones Soda has now decided to sponsor her. She has also collaborated with Simply Better Brands organizations to promote the “No B.S skincare” line and has joined the NFT trend by creating her cage side NFT pass.
Additional Works
Pena, along with Max Bretos, is an announcer for Combate Americas’ English language broadcast on DAZN and was featured in Fight Life, an award-winning mixed martial arts documentary in 2013.
It was announced in 2022 that Pea and Nunes will serve as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 30 on ESPN+, which would include heavyweight and women’s flyweight competitors.
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