'Ultimate Fighter' Contestant Julianna Pena Talks Upsets And Breaking Ground
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- For the first time in 18 seasons, the UFC reality show "The Ultimate Fighter" is featuring women competing for a contract with the promotion. Consequently, many of the women have extensive resumes not otherwise normally seen on the show, having fought for years outside of the promotion due to the fact that women were excluded from UFC competition.
That has all changed in a big way, with head coaches Miesha Tate and women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey set to rematch for that title at the conclusion of the show on a December card in Las Vegas. Before that though, they must coach a handful of fighters to determine one top female and male prospect for the season, and an early favorite for the ladies' spot burst into the spotlight last week with a stunning upset over an odds on favorite.
"Ultimate Fighter" contestant Julianna Pena was not supposed to defeat Shayna Baszler last week. Baszler was easily the most experienced and tested woman in the fighter house, and it seemed to many to be a foregone conclusion that she would defeat the less experienced Pena. While that looked to be the case for one round, it was in the second round that Pena surprised Baszler with a rear naked choke, forcing her to tap out. Overnight, Julianna Pena has become the most touted female prospect on this season's "The Ultimate Fighter".
Listen to Julianna Pena talk to Richard Hunter about her upset victory, as well as what's ahead this week on "The Ultimate Fighter"
Julianna Pena with Richard Hunter
"The Ultimate Fighter" airs Wednesdays at 9:00 pm central on Fox Sports 1.
Follow Richard Hunter on Twitter @RichardHunter.
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