I see people calling Pena overrated because she lost to GDR, but it's GDR! The number one ranked fighter who gave WMMA GOAT Amanda Nunes hell and made her look beatable.
Plus, you shouldn't be shocked that she subbed Julianna because she nearly subbed Nunes too. She's clearly not just a kickboxer anymore.
Pena's loss before that was to another WMMA GOAT Valentine Shevchenko. A fight she was winning until she underestimated Val's ground game and subsequently got subbed and she was also winning against GDR too.
I think Pena is the only fighter aside from Nunes who gave GDR and Valentina their toughest fights.
Her striking has improved in leaps and bounds, too. I'm shocked she was able to stand with GDR and parry her punches. Her striking defense has always been very good; she's not a slow moving plodder like Aspen Ladd which is why GDR wasn't able to KO her and she even rocked GDR a few times!
She did get hit a few times but she ate those punches and GDR is the hardest hitter in the division.
Also, the fact that Pena was able to take GDR down easily when she got a hold of her should show you how elite her grappling is because Amanda's the only other fighter in the UFC who could take GDR down.
Julianna is legit and deserves respect. She's only lost to two elite fighters in the UFC in very close fights and she was winning those fights but just made a mistake that cost her.
Nonetheless, she is an exciting fighter who always comes to fight and looks for the finish and although she lost this one, I think she's very close to a title shot.
