Julianna Pena battles Germaine De Randamie this weekend at UFC Fight Island 4 and Pena believes that two division UFC champion Amanda Nunes could be in her future.
The TUF champion believes that if she defeats De Randamie, it would make her the only option for Nunes to defend the women’s bantamweight title against.
“Girls with lesser resumes than me have been fighting for the title and are going to be fighting for the titles,” Pena said at the UFC Fight Island 4 media day (via Nolan King & John Morgan of MMA Junkie). “Let’s say in December, for example. I’ve been fighting in this division just as long as Amanda has. Again, God willing I get past this fight, which is what I see, I’m the only option left. … I think that I get it no matter what. That’s the only thing that I see.”
Pena is ranked #4 in the women’s bantamweight division, which is higher than Irene Aldana, who headlines the UFC Fight Island 4 card. While there are still three fighters ranked ahead of Pena in the women’s bantamweight division, one thing that Pena believes separates her from the pack is her resume.
“I’ve always been showing that I’ve been game,” Pena said. “I won ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ Then, of course, I got injured. That was my bad. Again, (it’s) part of the sport’s nature – the beast. Then when I came back, I was fighting girls at the top of the division. I fought Jessica Eye, who I think was No. 5 at the time. I fought Cat Zingano, who I think was No. 2 at the time. Then I fought a No. 1 contender, Valentina (Shevchenko). Then, I fought former world champion Nicco Montano. Now I’m fighting again (against) the No. 1 girl in the world.”
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