J. Peña at a press conference before the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram @venezuelanvixen
UFC bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg), Julianna Pena was involved in a major controversy over the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating in the podcast 'The Joe Rogan Experience', the fighter stated that she believed in conspiracy theories that questioned the presence of the virus in society.
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However, last Monday (7), the Venezuelan 'retracted' her statements during the announcement of her presence as one of the coaches of the 30th edition of the 'The ultimate fighter', against Amanda nunes. She claimed that she had not been well interpreted in the comments.
“I was criticized for that, too. And what I want to say is that, once again, my words were a little misinterpreted. I'm tired, exhausted. We've been in the pandemic for two years, almost three years now. I just want things to go back to normal,” said Julianna.
Peña has already tested positive for the new coronavirus and apologized for the comments. She now says she believes COVID is real and calls for leniency in the past speech.
“I didn’t want to seem insensitive, especially with the fact that I had COVID. Everyone I know has had COVID. I lost my aunt and people who were near and dear to me in Venezuela. (COVID) is absolutely real. So if I offended anyone with my comments about COVID, please, I would like to apologize. That was not at all what I meant,” she concluded.
In the United States, where Julianna Pena trains and lives, around 76,8 million people have contracted the virus, in addition to 904 deaths, according to official statistics from the newspaper 'The New York Times'. Global case numbers reach 397 million.
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