Former UFC champion Julianna Peña returns to competition on the wrestling mats after 17-month absence

Julianna Peña is returning to competition for the first time since losing the UFC bantamweight title, but her comeback will come on the wrestling mats rather than in the Octagon. Real American Freestyle confirmed on Monday that the former two-time UFC champion will make her promotional debut at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena, facing Diana Avsaragova in a middleweight matchup.

Peña’s last outing came at UFC 316 in June 2025, when she was submitted in the second round by Kayla Harrison, surrendering the bantamweight title she had reclaimed. The 17-month gap between that defeat and her RAF debut marks her longest absence from competitive action. Known as “The Venezuelan Vixen,” Peña has been serving as a color commentator for RAF since the promotion launched.

Avsaragova enters the bout having already appeared once under the RAF banner. The Bellator and PFL veteran suffered a technical fall loss to RAF middleweight champion Kennedy Blades at RAF 13 in September, making this a swift turnaround for her second promotional appearance.

The RAF Abu Dhabi card carries significant weight beyond Peña’s debut. The event is headlined by Colby Covington taking on Khamzat Chimaev for the cruiserweight crossover title, a matchup that blends MMA notoriety with freestyle wrestling competition.

Additional bouts announced for the card include Abdulrashid Sudulaev vs. Dauren Kurugliev and Osama Elsaidy vs. Murtaza Talha in light heavyweight action, a cruiserweight contest between Zahid Valencia and Khidir Saipudinov, and a lightweight matchup between Hamza Kooheji and Ali AlQaisi.