Julianna Pena claims that she moisture with a “serious handicap” on UFC 316.
On June 7, Pena was again unsuccessful when recording a successful title defense. She had previously been short of that performance at UFC 277 in 2022, when Amanda Nunes demanded her revenge on Pena.
The second time it was Kayla Harrison's turn to have the championship of the TUF winner rule a short. In the Co-Main event of UFC 316, Harrison Pena submitted with a kimura in round two.
The “humiliation” former champion has since stated that she was fighting while she was compromised because of a few bad injuries.
But 'the Venezuelan Vixen' will not get a sympathy of this UFC pear …
Cody Gibson not interested in Julianna Pena's UFC 316 'Excuses'
While speaking with Ariel Helwani, Pena revealed her pre-PUC 316 injuries, including a broken thumb and 'torn elbow'.
The former dual champion was quickly thrown by some for making 'apologies', especially in view of her self-assured pre-fighter attitude and promised to give Harrison her first loss.
Under Pena's recent comments, colleague UFC hunter Cody Gibson. In a post on X, 'The Renegade' expressed frustration about the growing trend of hunters who reveal clear injuries and adversity afterwards.
“Nobody can care … it's not a good look … Accountability = Growth … Nobody gives it,” wrote Gibson.
“If you sign the contract, tell the world that you think you can win. It is true or it is not. Simple if that is. Fight apologies are becoming more and more often and they annoy me,” Gibson added.
1. Nobody doesn't give it. It is not a good look3. Accountability = Growth4. It doesn't make anyone
If you sign the contract, tell the world that you think you can win. It is true or it is not. Simple like that. Apologies after the fight are increasingly common and they annoy me → https://t.co/mqdvphuex3
– Cody Gibson (@Theerenegade559) June 18, 2025
View tweet
Julianna Pena says that the Kayla Harrison -fight was 'perfect' to the Kimura
Despite her apparent physical problems, 'the Venezuelan Vixen' believes that it played well on UFC 316.
During the same interview with Helwani, Pena said that everything was going to plan against Harrison until she made one fatal mistake on the floor that opened the door for the double Olympic gold medal winner.
“For five seconds to the bell, and the fight (was) in my perception went as I thought it would go, as I had trained. In this Vechtkamp it was as if:” Tap her gas tank! Tap her gas tank! “
“For Vechtkamp, I am brought down around one, around two, no problem. In round three everyone is gassed, everyone cannot keep the pace, everyone is choked,” Pena added.
“Going in that fight and being two with minimal damage, I thought:” This goes exactly as I thought it went. This is perfect. “… so just to go completely off the rails with five seconds to go, I mean, it's just absolutely humiliating.”
Pena hopes for the chance of redemption against Harrison or Nunes along the line.
She was quick to set up her claim for a shot on the winner of the next Bantamweight title fight, although that was soon obtained by many fans and media members.