Julianna Pena: ‘My focus is not on Ronda Rousey…’

Despite what the rankings say, it seems as if anybody in the Ultimate Fighting Championship could arguable be two or three fights away from a shot at a title. Bethe Correia was ranked nowhere near the top five when it was announced she would be challenging Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship and the same goes for Holly Holm.

While both ladies no doubt deserved it, it should put the rest of the division on notice that if they can make a name for themselves and win in an exciting manner, a title shot isn’t far from grasp.

UFC bantamweight Julianna Pena ultimately has her sights set on gold, but as of right now, she isn’t paying attention to Ronda Rousey. Her concentration is solely on Jessica Eye as she approaches their fight at “UFC 192” this weekend in Houston, Texas.

“I feel like when I fight Ronda, it will have been earned and it will have been built up and it’s something that people want to see,” Pena told Fox Sports. “I look forward to that fight one day but what I really look forward to is fighting Jessica Eye on Oct. 3 and focusing all my energy on her. None of these girls are easy and it’s my job to never underestimate them. My focus is not on Ronda. It is on Jessica Eye on Oct. 3.”

Pena may only be two fights into her run with UFC, but she has been fighting professionally since 2009. When fans label her as one dimensional, she is quick to remind them she’s had more matches than just the ones they’ve seen in the octagon.

“I have knocked out people with my head kicks, I have knocked out people with my fists and I’ve finished fights with TKO’s on the ground. I know people want to peg me as a one-dimensional fighter, but I have never felt that way about myself,” Pena said. “I’ve always been confident wherever the fight goes… I may not have all the credentials with gold medals and black belts, but these girls are going to know they are in a fist fight with me.”

Pena will square off with Eye this Saturday in Houston, Texas at UFC 192. Who do you think will walk out of the octagon with their hands raised? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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