UFC News: Julianna Peña Reveals The Secret To Toppling Rousey Is ‘Not To Look Dead Upon Arrival’

IN PHOTO: February 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Ronda Rousey leaves the arena with her sister Julia De Mars and mother AnnMaria De Mars after she defeated Cat Zingano (not pictured) in her women's bantamweight title bout at UFC 184 at Staples Center. Rousey won in the first round. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The first woman victor of the mixed martial arts reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter” Julianna Peña, is back in the Ultimate Fighting Championship circle. After being sidelined for most of 2014 due to a knee injury, Peña is determined to prove her mettle against the best talent in the women's bantamweight division, take on all comers and vindicate a teammate by dedicating her next win against Milana Dudieva at UFC Fight Night 63.

In her latest interview with Submission Radio (video below), the 25-year-old American fighter revealed that she is setting her sights on climbing the ladder in the women’s bantamweight rankings and will destroy all comers along her way including UFC reigning bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey or Invicta FC starrer Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino. The 11th bantamweight contender gave her two cents on measuring up against Rousey and the secret to beating the current queen of the Octagon.

“Where I would hold the advantage is that I would not be mentally broken before the fight ever started, which I feel is sometimes to me - in my opinion - what seems to be the case with these other women that are facing her. They already look dead upon arrival when they’re in the cage with her and I refuse to be shaken,” Peña told Submission Radio during the interview.

The young prodigy also labelled Rousey a bully, with the way she intimidates her opponents and how she talks down her challengers. Despite this, Pena was adamant that between the two of them, she is the bigger bully evidenced by her strong resolve and fearlessness on whatever direction a fight goes into. She added that her multiple disciplines in jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling and other various techniques gives her a greater window to snatch the title from Rousey, if the opportunity presents itself.

Now that she is fully healthy and scheduled to strut her wares once more against Dudieva in the upcoming main card of UFC Fight Night 63, Peña is cherishing the shot at redemption and is dedicating her latest match to a teammate who recently lost her bout in Macau. The comeback comes after a year-long hiatus due to a torn ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus in her right knee, which she suffered while grappling during her training. She was supposed to face off with Jessica Andrade at UFC 171 last March 2014 but was pulled out just days leading into the fight because of the serious knee problem.

In the meantime, Peña has her sights set on redemption, and if gifted the opportunity, prove that Rousey's declaration that she “did not deserve to breathe the same air” as one of “Rowdy’s” Four Horsewomen buddies such as Shayna Baszler is nothing but an arrogant opinion from an ignorant champion. “The Venezuelan Vixen” hopes that this time around she can snatch the victory to remind UFC enthusiasts of her presence, and more importantly, win one for her team. Watch the full transcript of Peña’s interview with Submission Radio below: