Pena Returning to Prime Form

"When Julianna Pena steps into the Octagon at Fight Night 63, it will be a moment that has been a long time in the making—and one that almost didn't happen.
"After her dominant run on The Ultimate Fighter during which she defeated Jessica Rakoczy to become the Season 18 tournament winner, Pena was poised to hit the UFC women's bantamweight division with some momentum.
"Shortly after her time on the reality-based fighting program, her next bout was booked against Jessica Andrade at UFC 171, and the Washington-state native set about preparing for the fight.
"And that's where her story takes a cruel turn.
"The 25-year-old bantamweight suffered a devastating knee injury that required major surgery and put her mixed martial arts career in jeopardy in one brutal swoop.
"Nevertheless, Pena's mental toughness matches her aggression inside the cage, and she was determined to return to competing inside the Octagon. While she admits that there were some tough spots throughout her road to recovery, Pena never doubted her ability to return to form."
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