Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña has declared herself the greatest female fighter of all time. This runs counter to most commentators’ opinions, where Peña’s rival, recently retired two-division champion Amanda Nunes is widely considered the pinnacle of women’s mixed martial arts. Peña appeared on The MMA Hour to discuss why she feels she should be considered number one.
“The greatest female fighter of all time, according to me, is me. You want to know why? Because I’m not a fighter, I’m a warrior. I’m a warrior that lives inside and there’s a difference. Amanda’s a fighter, I’m a warrior.
UFC: Julianna Pena Declares Herself Women’s GOAT
I’m the greatest warrior, I’m the greatest fighter of all-time, and I believe that with my heart because I never stop coming. You’re going to have to put me to sleep or knock me the f*** out to get me to stop coming after you.
Bet.” Peña defeated Amanda Nunes via submission two years ago, only to lose the rematch in resounding fashion, dominating Peña for five rounds. “I believe that a submission finish is more dominant than any scorecard you could put in front of me.
As far as I’m concerned, I still have a one up on her. She didn’t finish me, I was coming at her the entire time, I ran out of time. Brass tacks, when it all comes down to things, when she was supposed to be the greatest of all time, she tapped! She was asking for help to get out of there.
So like I said, a finish is better than a scorecard. She couldn’t finish me. I’m not going to have a thorn in my side, because as far as I’m concerned, I still have a win over her. If we’re in the streets, she’s dead. She already died.”
Peña also called Nunes’ claim to glory, her simultaneous possession of two UFC titles, a “sham.” “You want to talk about this, we can talk about it.
At the end of the day, they made that 145-pound division for Cris Cyborg only. When she beat Cris Cyborg, there was nobody else. What, Megan Anderson, who fights at 135 but bumped up to 145 for a shot at the title?
And then, Felicia Spencer, once again, can’t make 135; 145 is where people go that can’t make 135. But do me a favor, name 10 rostered UFC [featherweights].
Doesn’t exist. There are none. It’s a fake belt. It’s a fake belt! So that being said, she says, ‘Oh yeah, I’m the champ-champ, I’ve done it all,’ and Dana says, ‘Yeah, we’re getting rid of that division and retiring it.’ [She says,] ‘Yeah, retire it! They know what they’re doing.’
OK, so you agree, it’s fake. There’s nobody there to fight. You’re a champion of a fake division! Enjoy! I don’t know what you want me to say.
It was a fake belt at 145. It was so real that they’re [ending] it completely.”
