Ronda Rousey
IN PHOTO: Feb 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Ronda Rousey (red gloves) reacts after defeating Cat Zingano (not pictured) during their women's bantamweight title bout at UFC 184 at Staples Center. Rousey won in 14 seconds of the first round. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

“The Ultimate Fighter,” or TUF, Season 18 winner Julianna Peña is on the comeback trail and her path to redemption is aimed at the biggest stage in the Octagon. The Venezuelan Vixen is hoping that her return to the mixed martial arts scene goes smoothly and if everything goes as planned, be given the opportunity to face current women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

“I think she's fantastic, too, don't get me wrong. But I feel like a lot of people aren't looking into what has happened before they start criticizing me. I feel like they probably didn't even watch the season. I expected it, though. … And I feel like I'll silence them in due time," Peña recently told Yahoo Sports on the prospect of facing Rousey.

After being sidelined for more than a year, Peña is scheduled to tackle Milana Dudieva on Saturday in Fairfax, Va. She sustained a freak injury while training last January 2014 while preparing for her UFC 171 fight opposite Jessica Andrade. Because of the malaise, she had to undergo reconstructive surgery on her right knee after tearing five ligaments and after that she underwent extensive therapy and strength reconditioning to regain the usual power in the leg.

There was also the fear that due to the extent of the damage to her knees and hamstring, she would have to hang up the gloves for good. The Spokane, Washington resident was even told by her doctors that if she tears another ligament in the knee, then it would be game over for her career aspirations. Her injury was so serious that not only did she tear her knee; she also sustained a hamstring tear.

Despite these setbacks, Peña is all determination and is out to prove that she is just not another winner in a reality series but a series contender in the women’s bantamweight division. After patiently waiting for more than a year, she relayed that the time off was excruciating but the reward at the end of the tunnel, fighting once again, was more than enough to keep her going. The only thing that can make all the previous injury experience goes away if her hand is hoisted this coming Saturday night after her bout with Dudieva.

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