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Pena steps off commentary to face Avsaragova at RAF Abu Dhabi after Harrison submission loss

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Pena returns to competition in a wrestling match against Diana Avsaragova at Real American Freestyle's Abu Dhabi event on 14 November, her first outing since Kayla Harrison submitted her with a kimura in June 2025.

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Pena steps off commentary to face Avsaragova at RAF Abu Dhabi after Harrison submission loss
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Julianna Pena will make her competitive return on 14 November, stepping off the Real American Freestyle commentary desk to face Diana Avsaragova at the promotion’s inaugural Abu Dhabi event at Etihad Arena. RAF announced the matchup on Monday.

Pena has not competed since losing the UFC women’s bantamweight title to Kayla Harrison in June 2025, when Harrison submitted her with a second-round kimura. Since then, Pena had been working as a color commentator for RAF, but will now swap the broadcast role for a spot on the mat.

Avsaragova brings experience from both Bellator and the Professional Fighters League. Her most recent outing came at RAF 13 in September, where she fell by technical fall to reigning middleweight champion Kennedy Blades.

The Pena–Avsaragova bout is one of several notable matchups on a card headlined by a cruiserweight crossover championship clash between former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former interim welterweight titleholder Colby Covington.

The Abu Dhabi show marks RAF’s first event in the Middle East, underpinned by a five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and the UAE Wrestling Federation.

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