Julianna Peña predicts UFC title fight against Raquel Pennington in October

Julianna Peña says she will likely challenge UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington in October.

Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will look to reclaim the bantamweight title against fellow Ultimate Fighter Season 18 alum Pennington (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC). According to Peña, the title fight is currently scheduled for Oct. 5 at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.

“I think it's definitely going to be in the fall,” Peña told MMA Junkie Radio, “That's all I know. I think they were probably aiming for October. I don't know if it's been announced yet, and I don't want to be the guy that leaks fights, but I'm definitely hearing October. I think it's in Salt Lake City, if I'm not mistaken.”

After Amanda Nunes retired and vacated the belt, Pennington defeated Mayra Bueno Silva to win the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 297. Peña credits Pennington for her toughness, a quality she can attest to.

“I think Raquel's biggest strength is her durability,” Peña said. “She's just so strong and she can fight anywhere. That's my strength and my skill. It doesn't matter who I'm fighting, we're always fighting, so I can't let one of us overlook the other. So I love that about Raquel and I think that's her strength. She's just so durable.”

Peña hasn't competed since losing her bantamweight title to Nunes at UFC 277 in July 2022. The two were scheduled to meet in a trilogy at UFC 289, but Peña withdrew due to a broken rib. Nunes instead faced Irene Aldana and retired after defeating her.

Peña attended Nunes' retirement fight and was slammed with boos, but “The Venezuelan Womanizer” plans to beat Pennington and lure Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) out of retirement.

“I booed, and I know it's natural to boo because I know she's not done yet,” Peña said. “I know she'll be back, so if I win the title, I'm definitely going to do that fight. I think a trilogy with me and Amanda is way better than any fight I'll ever do with any other woman in this division.”