Julianna Peña to make wrestling debut against Diana Avsaragova at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14

Former two-time UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Peña will return to competition on November 14, when she faces Diana Avsaragova in a middleweight freestyle wrestling match at RAF Abu Dhabi. Real American Freestyle (RAF) announced the booking on Monday, October 12. The event takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and streams on FOX Nation.

It will be the first time Peña has competed in any combat sport in 17 months.

From the commentary desk to the mat

Peña has been part of RAF since the promotion's launch, working as a color commentator on its broadcasts. She debuted in that role in October 2025, and the November card will be her first appearance as a competitor for the wrestling league.

The 37-year-old has not competed since June 2025, when she lost the UFC bantamweight title to Kayla Harrison by second-round submission at UFC 316. Peña's professional MMA record stands at 13-6, including an 8-4 mark in the UFC. She famously upset Amanda Nunes by submission at UFC 269 in December 2021 to win the title for the first time.

Her opponent

Avsaragova, a veteran of Bellator and PFL, will be making her second RAF appearance. In her first outing for the promotion, at RAF 13 in September, she lost by technical fall to RAF women's middleweight champion Kennedy Blades.

Unlike MMA, freestyle wrestling is decided on positions and points, with no strikes or submissions, which takes away some of the tools Peña used to win two UFC titles.

Same night as Harrison vs Nunes

The timing adds an unusual twist. November 14 is also the date of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York, where Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes is set for the women's bantamweight title, according to the UFC. Peña has fought both women in championship bouts.

Rest of the RAF Abu Dhabi card

RAF Abu Dhabi is headlined by Colby Covington vs Khamzat Chimaev for the promotion's cruiserweight crossover title. Other announced matchups include:

• Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs Dauren Kurugliev
• Osama Elsaidy vs Murtaza Talha (light heavyweight)
• Zahid Valencia vs Khidir Saipudinov (cruiserweight)
• Hamza Kooheji vs Ali AlQaisi (lightweight)

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is also among the notable names on the card, MMA Junkie reported.

Peña has not said publicly whether the wrestling match is a one-off or part of a plan to return to MMA competition.