Monday, December 21, 2015

Spokane UFC fighter Julianna Peña booked into jail after weekend bar fight

Posted By on Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 2:01 PM

It's not the kind of headline women's mixed martial arts contender Julianna Peña wants to attract as she vies for her chance at a title shot in the UFC's women's bantamweight division. Reports from sports outlets online are saying that the sixth-ranked fighter in the 135-lb. women's division was booked into Spokane County Jail early Sunday morning on two counts of assault after getting into a fight outside of a downtown Spokane bar.

Spokane Police Department spokesperson Officer Teresa Fuller says a call came in early Sunday morning at around 2:20 am that Peña had allegedly assaulted two employees at Zola on West Main Avenue after the employees denied Peña's request to enter the bar, which was closed, to use the restroom. She was reportedly with a male companion at the time.

click to enlarge Spokane UFC fighter Julianna Peña booked into jail after weekend bar fight
A screenshot of Pena's intake report from the Spokane County Jail.

Peña has since been released on a $2,000 bond. It hasn't been announced whether the UFC will consider any disciplinary action against Peña, who last fought and won in an October match-up against Jessica Eye. The Spokane-based athlete spent all of last year recovering from a major knee injury. Since her return, she has been victorious in both UFC fights she's competed in this year. 

Peña's next bout in the octagon hasn't yet been scheduled, but the opinion of many close watchers of the UFC is that she could get a shot at the title — recently claimed by Holly Holm in an unexpected win over formerly undefeated champ Ronda Rousey last month. (It should be mentioned that the UFC says it plans to schedule a rematch between Holm and Rousey for a to-be-determined date.)

Peña trains at Sik-Jitsu in Spokane with coach Rick Little. The training camp also is home base for UFC athletes Elizabeth Phillips, Mike Chiesa and Sam Sicilia.

UPDATE: Here's what reporting SPD officer Chad Herzog filled out on the incident report filed with the department.

"On 12/20/2015 at approximately 0220 [redacted] were closing up the bar at Zola's [sic] where they work, when Julianna and Josh came to the door requesting to use the bathroom. [Redacted] told them they could not use the restroom and Julianna became enraged. She lunged towards [redacted] who then pushed her towards the door. At the door, Josh began trying to hold Julianna back, when she kicked both [redacted]. [Redacted] said that she kicked him twice in the groin. 

While I spoke with [redacted] Corporal Kakuda interviewed [redacted]. I advised Cpl. Kakuda of [redacted] statements. Cpl. Kakuda advised that he had PC to charge Julianna with two counts of City Assault (based on [redacted] mutual statements)."


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Chey Scott

Chey Scott is the Inlander's Editor, and has been on staff since 2012. Her past roles at the paper include arts and culture editor, food editor and listings editor. She also currently serves as editor of the Inlander's yearly, glossy magazine, the Annual Manual. Chey (pronounced "Shay") is a lifelong resident...