UFC champion Julianna Pena sparks parenting debate with ‘first mum champ’ claim over Amanda Nunes

Julianna Pena has sparked a parenting debate after crowning herself as the UFC’s ‘first mum champion’ following an upset win in a title fight at UFC 269.

The 32-year-old gave birth to daughter Issa in 2018 and fought for the first time as a mother 18 months later, with her victory over Amanda Nunes capping off her incredible return to the top.

Watch Pena’s controversial remark in the video above

Nunes herself is a mother to young daughter Raegan Ann, who was on hand at the Las Vegas event.

But Pena believes there is a difference in their status as mothers and fighters, owing to Nunes’s wife - fellow UFC athlete Nina Ansaroff - giving birth to their first child.

“The UFC absolutely needs to create a new belt for me. It needs to be the ‘Baddest Mum on the Planet’,” Pena said after the UFC 269 victory.

“You know, I’m not trying to take anything away from Amanda - she’s a wonderful mother.

“But I gave birth to my daughter and I feel like, for giving birth, I am the first mum champ and that to me is also a little feather in the cap.”

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Nunes, 33, has not responded directly but uploaded footage of herself sharing kisses with daughter Reagan Ann the morning after the fight.

Ansaroff posted a photo of the family, and coach Ivan de Oliveira, after the event with a simple caption: “Proud.”

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But Pena’s distinction on being the ‘baddest mum on the planet’ sparked a passionate debate among UFC fans and parents.

Some echoed the fighter in noting the physical effects of giving birth