Former two-time UFC champion Julianna Peña is getting back to competition, but it will be on the wrestling mats.
Real American Freestyle announced Monday that Peña is set to make her promotional debut at RAF Abu Dhabi, which takes place Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena. Peña faces Diana Avsaragova in a middleweight matchup.
Peña is set to compete in combat sports action for the first time in 17 months. In her most recent outing, “The Venezuelan Vixen” lost the UFC bantamweight title via second-round submission
to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025. Peña has been a color commentator for RAF since its inception.
Avsaragova makes her second RAF appearance at the event. The Bellator and PFL vet suffered a tech fall loss to RAF middleweight champ Kennedy Blades at RAF 13 in September.
Other matchups announced for the card include Abdulrashid Sudulaev vs. Dauren Kurugliev and Osama Elsaidy vs. Murtaza Talha in light heavyweight action, a cruiserweight contest between Zahid Valencia and Khidir Saipudinov, and a lightweight tilt between Hamza Kooheji and Ali AlQaisi.
RAF Abu Dhabi is headlined by Colby Covington vs. Khamzat Chimaev for the cruiserweight crossover title.
