Peña Reclaims Bantamweight Title as Pennington Stands Firm
Julianna Peña reclaimed the UFC women’s bantamweight title from Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024, winning a split decision. The pre-fight exchange centered on Peña’s criticism of Pennington’s role as champion and Pennington’s response. Peña later lost the belt to Kayla Harrison by second-round kimura submission at UFC 316 in June 2025.
The Champion’s Stance
Before UFC 307, Pennington said she would remain authentic despite Peña’s criticism. Pennington lost the title by split decision, ending her first reign after defending the belt once.
“We all know that Julianna has a master’s degree in ‘Yapology,'” Pennington remarked, addressing Peña’s comments. “All she does is talk sh*t. She keeps herself relevant that way.”
Pennington went on to question Peña’s knowledge of her promotional activities, stating, “To sit here and say I turned down ‘Embedded.’ How does she know anything about what I’m doing? It’s interesting.”
A Journey of Perseverance
The current champion’s path to the title has been one of determination and resilience. Pennington’s record of 16-8 reflects a career marked by ups and downs, but ultimately culminating in championship gold. She attributes her success to consistency and focus:
“This (belt) is 14 years of hard work. I got here just staying in my lane, and you want to call me a terrible representation? I didn’t see her doing any better.”
Pennington’s remarks highlight the contrast between her steady climb to the top and Peña’s more turbulent championship experience, which included a shocking upset victory followed by a decisive loss in their first professional meeting.
The Challenger’s Perspective
Julianna Peña, known for her aggressive fighting style and outspoken personality, has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with Pennington’s reign. The former champion criticized Pennington’s promotional efforts, claiming she “has not been a good representation of the women’s bantamweight division.”
Peña’s comments stem from her belief that the champion should be more active in promoting fights and engaging with media opportunities. However, Pennington maintains that her approach is deliberate and in line with her personality.
A Clash of Styles and Personalities
Their October 5, 2024 title fight was a split decision, with Peña reclaiming the belt from Pennington. Pennington’s more reserved demeanor stands in stark contrast to Peña’s outspoken nature.
This difference in personalities has been evident since their time as roommates on Season 18 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality series. The tension between them has been building for over a decade, and shaped the buildup to their October 2024 first meeting.
Looking Ahead to UFC 307
The result gave Peña her second bantamweight title reign. She later lost the championship to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025.
Regardless of the outcome, UFC 307’s co-main event promises to be a contest between two skilled fighters with a long-standing rivalry. Fans can expect an intense battle that will not only determine the champion but also potentially settle the debate on what it means to be a fitting representative of the division.
Pennington’s “and still” claim was pre-fight bravado. Peña won the title by split decision at UFC 307; the official result and later title change to Harrison are now part of the story.
Sources: Julianna Peña’s official UFC record; UFC’s announcement of Peña’s title defense at UFC 316; UFC 307 scorecards
