The UFC had been holding off on booking TUF winner Julianna Pena while she faced legal issues stemming from an arrest in December, but now that it’s been resolved they plan to get her a fight booked soon.
The organization released a statement on Monday after Pena came to terms with prosecutors in Washington, and her UFC career will resume from there.
“UFC elected not to schedule Pena for a bout while the legal proceedings were ongoing,” the UFC’s statement read. “Now that the matter has been resolved, Pena is eligible to return to competition in the UFC and will be scheduled for a bout in the near future.
“While UFC is supportive of the resolution of Pena’s criminal matter, Pena acknowledges that her actions as a professional athlete should reflect well of her, the sport of mixed martial arts, and the UFC. Consequently, Pena has volunteered to participate in counseling as a condition for her return to the Octagon.”
Penick’s Analysis: Pena’s an immensely talented competitor, and she’s lucky that didn’t all go to hell with her actions in December. Drunkenly assaulting people is not a good look for a professional fighter, and for her sake hopefully it’s an action never repeated again. She can get right back into the mix as a title contender sooner rather than later, and provided she keeps herself out of trouble she’ll be a relevant name again soon enough.
[Photo (c) Troy Taormina via USA Today Sports]
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