After Lengthy Hiatus Due to Motherhood, Julianna Pena Vows to Make UFC Return ‘Soon’

It’s been more than two years since Julianna Pena last set foot in the Octagon, but “The Ultimate Fighter 18” winner is near a return.

Pena provided an update in an Instagram post detailing the difficulties of balancing life’s duties with being a mother, but she also admitted that she’s “overdue for a fist fight.” Pena took an extended leave from MMA following a submission loss to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 23 to start a family. Her daughter was born more than a year ago, and in the interim, “The Venezuelan Vixen” has served as a commentator for Combate Americas.

“Not gonna lie. Finding the balance between being a new mommy and a full-time MMA fighter and commentator while trying to hold the house down has not been the easiest of tasks,” Pena wrote. “Women who have kids, take care of the house and work full-time jobs are super women and we do not get enough credit if you ask me.

“There are many other mommy MMA fighters out there that I see make it work and they give me inspiration and motivation every day to believe in myself because I know I can do it too. So…no excuses! I know I am far overdue for a fist fight. I shall find my way back to the Octagon soon…”

Before her loss to Shevchenko, Pena began her UFC tenure with triumphs over Jessica Rakoczy, Milana Dudieva, Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano. The 29-year-old Sikjitsu representative owns an 8-3 career mark.

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Not gonna lie. Finding the balance between being a new #mommy and a full time #mma #fighter and commentator, while trying to hold the #house down has not been the easiest of tasks Women who have kids , take care of the house, and work full time jobs are #superwomen and we do not get enough credit if you ask me! Some of y’all expectations are just wayyy too high! There are many other #mommy #mma #fighters that I see #makeitwork and they give me #inspiration and #motivation everyday to believe in myself because I know I can do it too! So... no excuses!! I know I am far overdue for a #fistfight! I shall find my way back to the #octagon soon but in the meantime, I can’t wait to break in these new @gracieuniversityhq #puffies I just bought ! You can’t tell by the look on my face because that’s my, “I’m ready for war” face, but It’s the little things in life these days that get me #pumped ! Let’s get it ! #ceasargraciejiujitsuwhat

A post shared by Julianna Nicole Peña (@venezuelanvixen) on May 24, 2019 at 8:28pm PDT