UFC fight rumors: Julianna Pena cleared to return to the Octagon
The last time UFC women's bantamweight fighter Julianna Pena saw action was in October of last year, when she won against Jessica Eye via unanimous decision at UFC 192. After that fight, she became involved in a bar brawl where she ended up getting arrested and charged with assault.
But after the conclusion of an investigation and a corresponding agreement to subject herself to counseling, the 26-year old is now set to make a return to the Octagon. The UFC announced that they, too, has completed their own investigation on the matter and that she is now officially given the go signal to resume her career in mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
In a statement released to the press, the UFC talked about what transpired as a result of the investigation. "Pena acknowledges that her actions as a professional athlete should reflect well of her, the sport of mixed martial arts, and the UFC."
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Less than a month has passed since Pena signed an agreement with the Spokane (Wa) prosecutor's office where she was given a stipulation of continuance. The said agreement states that the charges of two counts of assault are to be dropped in a year, provided that she refrains from having any brush-in with the law.
According to Spokane City Prosecutor Justin Bingham via MMAjunkie, what they offered Pena was the best out of the situation and on the basis of her not having a prior record. "It's a fairly standard plea offer that we give you people that have limited or no criminal history," Bingham explained.
The charges alleged that Pena singlehandedly kicked two bouncers in their groins when she and her training partner Joshua Gow were told to exit the Zola bar premises situated in the downtown area of Spokane. A body-cam footage of her arrest was released to the press after the incident where the fighter, who by the way is still undefeated in the UFC, was seen intoxicated. After the incident inside the bar, both individuals were also seen in another altercation outside.
