Returning Julianna Pena successful in first step to challenging Ronda Rousey

Julianna Pena stressed all week that she had to finish early. She had to put on a show.

At Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Fairfax, Va., the “The Venezuelan Vixen” made her return from a year-long layoff due to a devastating knee injury and put on that show she desired with a rousing first-round stoppage over Russian prospect Milana Dudieva.

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“It was a long and grueling road,” said the TUF 18 winner in her post-fight victory speech. “I took a year off and I feel like if I didn’t take that year off, I’d already be champ by now.”

Pena was forced to the sidelines after tearing her ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus in her right knee during a training session last year.

In the lead up to her return fight against Dudieva, Pena became increasingly vocal about her distaste for, and subsequent desire to fight, UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. She called Rousey a bully and questioned her place as a role model.

Just two fights removed from back-to-back losses, Pena has some work to do before she gets to be mentioned alongside the likes of Rousey — at least on a pay-per-view marquee. But if Saturday’s brutal stoppage over Dudieva is indicative of things to come, then she is well on her way to that goal.

Pena made up for lost time as she winged looping hooks and pressured Dudieva against the cage. When her opponent was out of room, Pena scrambled and grappled, eventually ending up in full-mount. A barrage of vicious, postured elbows and punches followed. By 3:59 of Round 1, the fight was over and Pena made it clear she was ready for her next challenge.

“The fight went exactly as I had expected,” said Pena. “I’m a finisher, you guys. And I want the belt, so keep following me.”