Julianna Pena pens touching message after teaming up with WWE legend for launch of a beer: "Loved getting to know him"
Julianna Peña is preparing to end her lengthy hiatus at UFC 307 but is still working on building her profile outside the octagon. As the former champion announced on Instagram, Peña partnered with WWE star Hulk Hogan and his beer company, Real American Beer.
In her announcement post, Peña wrote an emotional message detailing what the partnership meant to her. 'The Venezuelan Vixen' called the 71-year-old her "childhood hero" and a big part of why she became a fighter.
Peña wrote in her caption:
"Proud to partner with [Hulk Hogan] with the launch of [Real American Beer] now in [Illinois] everywhere! Meeting one of my childhood heroes was everything I thought it'd be and more!... Loved getting to know him!... I cannot wait to crack a few of these after my [UFC] fight Oct. 5 in [Salt Lake City]."
Hogan, whose birth name is Terry Bollea, launched Real American Beer in 2024. The company prides itself on being a true brew of the United States, with its website boasting that it is made of "100 percent North American malt and hops."
Julianna Peña faces Raquel Pennington in the co-main event of UFC 307
While Julianna Peña announced her partnership with Real American Beer on Sept. 20, the fighter alluded to her fight on Oct. 5, preventing her from consuming any alcohol for the time being. After a two-year layoff, Peña will return to the octagon in another title fight, challenging UFC women's bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington in her first title defense.
'The Venezuelan Vixen' has not fought since losing her title to rival Amanda Nunes in the UFC 277 main event. The fight put a cap on season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter, with Peña and Nunes serving as coaches for the season leading up to their rematch.
Pennington became the sixth different women's bantamweight champion in promotional history at UFC 297 when she upset Mayra Bueno Silva to win the vacant title.
Peña's upcoming fight with Pennington will also stem from a rivalry built up on The Ultimate Fighter, with both women competing on season 18 of the show in 2013.