Julianna Peña, the UFC women's bantamweight champion, defends her title at UFC 316 against Kayla Harrison, despite being a significant betting underdog. Peña has triumphed in three out of her last four matches, defeating two former champions. Overlooked throughout her career, her resilient upbringing in Spokane, Washington, has instilled in her a fighting spirit. Her mother emphasized the importance of self-defense, shaping Peña's determination. She notably overcame substantial odds in previous fights, but it's been years since she entered the octagon as a favorite, showcasing the ongoing challenges she faces in gaining recognition.
Growing up in Spokane, Washington, as the youngest of four children, she was a regular target of her older brother's roughhousing. 'He was a gigantic WWE fan, and he beat the snot out of me and my two older sisters,' Peña told ESPN.
This will be Peña's fourth consecutive fight as an underdog. Most famously, she overcame the fourth-longest odds in UFC title fight history to submit Amanda Nunes.
Peña recaptured the title by dethroning Raquel Pennington, who was favored in their fight by nearly 2-to-1 odds.
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