Julianna Pena Books Wrestling Match vs. Diana Avsaragova at RAF Abu Dhabi
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is returning to competition for a wrestling match against Diana Avsaragova at Real American Freestyle's Abu Dhabi event on Nov. 14.
· VILLAND PICK editorial
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is set to return to active competition on the wrestling mat. Pena will face Diana Avsaragova at Real American Freestyle’s upcoming Abu Dhabi event, scheduled for Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena. The promotion officially announced the matchup on Monday.
The contest marks Pena’s first competitive appearance since losing her UFC title to Kayla Harrison in June 2025, where Harrison secured a victory via second-round kimura. Since RAF's launch, Pena has worked as a color commentator for the promotion, but she will now transition from the broadcast desk to active competition.
Avsaragova enters the bout with prior MMA experience in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She most recently competed in September at RAF 13, where she suffered a loss by technical fall against reigning middleweight champion Kennedy Blades.
The Nov. 14 card represents RAF's inaugural event in the Middle East, taking place under a five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism alongside the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Sources
This article was written by VILLAND PICK based on the reports listed above. Original articles are not reproduced.