Julianna Pena boldly claims the US presidential election ‘stole the limelight’ from her second UFC title win

Julianna Pena puts low-key crowning as two-time UFC champion down to the election

Pena recently previewed her upcoming return to action at UFC 316 in an interview with Thomas Gerbasi for UFC.com.

While looking back on her previous triumph, the 35-year-old admitted that things felt considerably different from her first time adjusting to life as champion.

Among other things, Pena put that down to the timeline, with her victory coming in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s 2024 US presidential election victory.

“I think the first time was a lot better because she (Nunes) was such a reigning champ for so long,” Pena said. “And with this one, the (presidential) elections came up in November, I won in October, so that kind of stole the limelight.

“And then the New Year hit, and I was already right back into fight camp for my next one. So I didn’t get the ticker tape parade that I quite got when I won and beat Amanda the first time. But I just care more about being a good person and doing right by my daughter and my loved ones than I do about being a champion when I die.

“It’s not like you can take it to heaven with you. So I just want to focus on being a good person. And if I get a belt at the end of the day, then that’s just the cherry on top. But I know that I’m a champion in my heart and in my mind, and the belt is just a little tangible thing that you can put your hands on.”

Julianna Pena can expect more fanfare if she wins at UFC 316

With no major political vote coming up, perhaps Pena will be expecting increased attention should she emerge victorious on Saturday.

That will likely be the case regardless given the sizable task that awaits her in Newark.

Pena will defend her title against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316, where the challenger will enter as a significant favorite.

Many are counting the champion out, drawing comparisons to the build up to Pena’s major upset against Nunes, another then-American Top Team star.

Should she repeat the feat at Harrison’s expense, Pena will add another big upset to her collection.

But as at UFC 269 four years ago, in the words of Nate Diaz, she no doubt won’t be “surprised, mother—-er.”