Julianna Peña has built a strong reputation in the UFC as a two-time women’s bantamweight champion and the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter. While her professional accomplishments are well-known, her personal life, especially her marriage and family, remains largely private.
Let’s take a closer look at the people who’ve supported the UFC star throughout her journey.
Julianna Peña Keeps Marriage to BJJ Expert Luis Alejandre Out of UFC Spotlight
Peña is married to Luis Alejandre. The date and details of their marriage haven’t been made public. The couple isn’t active on social media and tends to keep their relationship private.
Alejandre is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and trainer based in Chicago. He owns Stronghold Jiu-Jitsu Academy, where he teaches BJJ, judo, and self-defense to police officers, women, and students of all ages.
The academy’s official website states that Alejandre began training in BJJ at the age of 19 and traveled to Brazil, Thailand, and the U.S. to hone his craft. He earned his black belt in 2016 under Eddie and Adam Rezovic. His BJJ lineage traces back to the renowned Gracie family, and he has also served as a defensive tactics instructor for both the police and the U.S. Army.
Alejandre is a devoted father. On the gym’s Instagram page, he’s often shown training his daughter and teaching the importance of self-defense, especially for young girls. The Stronghold Jiu-Jitsu Academy website even lists his daughter as the owner, highlighting Alejandre’s parenting mindset. She also inspires the gym’s gorilla logo — he believes her journey in BJJ will reflect the growth from a baby gorilla to a strong one.
Alejandre has largely stayed out of the public eye, even during Peña’s biggest UFC career moments. While Peña has posted many photos and videos with her daughter, she’s never shared any with her husband. That’s led to speculation about the couple’s current relationship status. Still, there’s no official information suggesting they’ve separated.
Peña’s Daughter, Isabella Cruz, Steals Spotlight With UFC, BJJ Roots
Peña and Alejandre have one daughter together, Isabella Cruz Alejandre Peña, born Jan. 18, 2018. Like her mom, Isabella has already shown an interest in martial arts. She started training at her dad’s gym when she was just two years old.
Nicknamed “Boss Baby,” likely because she’s the daughter of the gym’s owner — and because she acts like it — Isabella even has her own Instagram account (@babyisacruz). Though she hasn’t posted on it in years.
Isabella is often spotted with her mom at UFC events. One of her most memorable appearances came at the UFC 277 ceremonial weigh-ins, where she copied Peña’s fighting stance during a faceoff with Amanda Nunes. She was also cageside when Peña won her first bantamweight title by beating Nunes at UFC 269.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” wants to lead by example. In a 2020 UFC interview, Peña said Isabella watches her sparring sessions closely.
While some MMA fighters steer their kids away from the sport due to its intensity, Peña encourages Isabella to train, even though she’s got big shoes to fill. Peña knows fighting can’t be a casual pursuit.
Isabella hopes to earn a BJJ black belt like her dad. Judging by the number of training clips shared on Stronghold’s Instagram, that goal might be closer than you’d think.