Julianna Peña Siblings: Meet the Siblings Squad Behind the American MMA

Julianna Nicole Peña, born on August 19, 1989, in Spokane, Washington, is an American professional mixed martial artist.

At 36 years old, she competes in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, where she has established herself as a former two-time champion and a trailblazer.

Known by the nickname “The Venezuelan Vixen,” Peña’s heritage reflects her father’s Venezuelan roots and her mother’s Mexican background, making her a first-generation American who proudly embraces her multicultural identity.

Raised in Spokane, she discovered MMA as an outlet after starting with cardio kickboxing in 2008, quickly transitioning to professional fighting and earning a reputation for her grappling prowess and unyielding spirit.

Beyond the octagon, Peña is a mother to her daughter Isabella, born in January 2018, and she balances her demanding career with family life, often crediting her upbringing for her resilience.

Siblings

Julianna is the youngest of four siblings, growing up in a tight-knit family in Spokane, Washington.

Her older sister Grace Peña, a former meteorologist and reporter for KREM 2, has been a public figure in her own right, and Peña has often highlighted their close bond, noting how her sisters encouraged her entry into MMA.

Another sister, Jocelynn Sleida, along with Grace (now Grace Bach), shares in the family’s supportive dynamic, with Peña crediting them for motivating her during her early years when sibling rivalries included playful wrestling that foreshadowed her fighting career.

Peña also has an older brother, whose name remains private, but she has recounted childhood stories of roughhousing with him, including an instance where she choked him out, which she attributes to building her toughness.

Career

Peña’s professional MMA career began in 2009 after an undefeated 2-0 amateur run, where she quickly amassed an 8-2 record before entering the UFC in 2013 as part of The Ultimate Fighter 18, which she won decisively.

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Training at SikJitsu in Spokane and later Valle Flow Striking, Peña made her official UFC debut with a first-round TKO victory, embarking on a four-fight winning streak that included notable wins over Jessica Andrade and Cat Zingano.

She faced setbacks with losses to Valentina Shevchenko in 2017 and Germaine de Randamie in 2020, the latter following a severe knee injury that sidelined her for nearly four years, but she resiliently returned with a submission win over Sara McMann in 2021.

Peña’s career pinnacle came at UFC 269 in December 2021, when she shocked the world by submitting Amanda Nunes to capture the women’s bantamweight title, though she lost it in a unanimous decision rematch at UFC 277 in 2022.

Undeterred, she reclaimed the championship with a split decision over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October 2024, only to lose it again via submission to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in 2025, bringing her overall professional record to 12-6-0 with an 8-4 UFC mark.

Throughout her tenure, Peña has demonstrated a grappling-heavy style, securing five submissions and three knockouts, while coaching on TUF 30 and positioning herself as a top contender in the division.

Accolades

Peña has garnered numerous accolades in her MMA career, most notably becoming a two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, first capturing the title in 2021 and regaining it in 2024.

She made history as the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter in season 18, showcasing her dominance in the bantamweight tournament and earning her a spot in the UFC.

Peña’s upset victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 earned her the 2021 UFC President’s Choice Performance of the Year and Upset of the Year from UFC.com, along with ranking as the #10 Fighter of the Year.

As of November 2025, she holds the #1 spot in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings and #8 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, reflecting her elite status despite recent challenges.

Additionally, she served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 30 and has been recognized for her contributions to women’s MMA, including being hailed as a resilient champion who redefines the sport.