Police report: Juliann Pena arrested after she allegedly kicked man in groin during bar dispute

Julianna Pena

Police say UFC women’s bantamweight Julianna Pena became “enraged” and assaulted two employees of a bar after being refused entrance to its restroom, according to incident reports stemming from “The Ultimate Fighter 18” winner’s arrest on Sunday.

Pena claimed she was sticking up for a training partner, Joshua Gow, who was injured in a street fight. She said Gow was denied entrance to the bar because he was bleeding and claimed nothing else happened.

Police didn’t see it that way and took Pena into custody on suspicion of assault. The 26-year-old fighter now faces up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The UFC on Tuesday said the promotion has no additional comment from an initial statement that it’s gathering more info before publicly commenting.

Pena’s coach, Rick Little, on Monday said he is looking into the matter and did not respond to additional requests for comment on Tuesday.

Police were called to scene early Sunday morning after reports of a large fight near the Globe Bar and Kitchen in downtown Spokane, Wash. They were were then advised of an incident involving professional fighters.

Three officers intercepted Pena, Gow and another unnamed person behind a restaurant. One officer said Pena and Gow appeared to be intoxicated and Gow was bleeding from his face.

Pena, identified in the report as Julianna Nicole Pena, told officer Eric Kahnberg she had been in a fight involving 20 people outside the Globe Bar and Kitchen. She said Gow had been injured. She said she went to a bar nearby, Zola’s, where she said she knew the owner.

An employee of Zola’s told one officer, “Everyone in the bar knows Pena is a UFC fighter.” The employee said the fighters attempted to enter the bar after it was closed. They were told by the bartenders and bouncers they couldn’t use the restroom because it had just been cleaned.

According to multiple witness statements, Pena became “enraged” and lunged at one employee, who shoved her toward the door. Pena allegedly kicked two employees in the groin – one twice – as they tussled with her and Gow. It took several people to control the UFC fighter before she and Gow were shoved out of the bar.

After being kicked out, Gow reportedly smeared his bloody face on the bar’s window. Bouncers followed them “to keep them in sight,” according to one officer’s report.

In the confusion, the allegedly assaulted employee reported the fighters took his cellphone. Pena was later searched and officers found three cell phones in her purse, though the employee did not wish to pursue charges.

Police, however, took Pena into custody for allegedly assaulting two subjects at the bar.

“At this time Pena is ranked #5 in the UFC according to stats located on the Internet,” officer Kannberg’s report states.

Pena was taken to the Spokane County Jail, where she remained for about 12 hours before being released. MMAjunkie has made a public records request for footage of the incident’s aftermath, which was reportedly captured on body cam.

Pena (7-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) most recently fought in the UFC this past October at UFC 192, where she outpointed Jessica Eye and then called out now-former women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.