Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña publicly voiced her support for the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela, framing her stance through the lens of personal heritage and family history.
Peña, known as “The Venezuelan Vixen,” shared a lengthy statement in both English and Spanish on Instagram on Tuesday, four days after U.S. forces carried out strikes in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In her post, Peña expressed support for the decisions made by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.
Heartfelt Message
“Hi my name is Julianna Peña,” she wrote. “I’m proud to carry American, Venezuelan, Mexican, and Native American heritage but in the MMA world, people know me as ‘The Venezuelan Vixen.’ That nickname was given to me by the man who taught me how to fight, as a way to honor my father and his bloodline.”
Peña explained that her father was born in Venezuela and that she visited the country as a child, describing it as “beautiful” and rich in culture and history. She contrasted those memories with what she described as the country’s decline under Maduro’s leadership.
“There was a time when Venezuela was one of the richest and most promising nations in the world,” Peña wrote. “But over the last 15 years, everything changed. What was once thriving fell into chaos under the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro. Visiting became dangerous, and our family was warned not to return.”
Peña said members of her family who remained in Venezuela endured “real hardship, fear, and loss,” experiences she cited as the basis for her support of the U.S. operation carried out on Jan. 3.
“Because of that, I fully support what my President and his administration accomplished on January 3rd,” Peña wrote. “I’m hopeful that Venezuela is finally on a path toward freedom and a future that looks more like the country I remember from my childhood. I’m proud to be Venezuelan whether people accept it or not.”
Other Venezuela-Born UFC Fighters React
Peña was not alone among UFC athletes in reacting publicly to the events. Several Venezuela-born fighters on the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster also posted messages on social media following the operation. Strawweight Piera Rodríguez, featherweight Alberto Montes, and flyweight Yuneisy Duben each shared celebratory or thankful messages on Instagram.
“God always trust in you,” Duben wrote in Spanish. “Eternally grateful.”
A Rare Intersection of MMA and Global Politics
Peña’s comments mark a rare moment where a high-profile UFC fighter directly addressed a major geopolitical event, tying it to her personal identity and family background. While fighters have increasingly used social media to express political views. Peña’s statement stood out for its length, detail, and emotional weight.
Known for her outspoken personality and willingness to engage controversial topics, Peña has often leaned into her Venezuelan heritage throughout her career from her nickname to her walkout attire and public appearances.
As global reaction to the U.S. operation in Venezuela continues to unfold, Peña’s remarks underscore how international events can resonate deeply within the MMA community, particularly among fighters whose personal histories are intertwined with those regions.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
