Amna Al Qubaisi takes Julianna Peña for a high-speed ride at Yas Marina
Amna Al Qubaisi welcomed former UFC champion Julianna Peña into her sporting world on 13 November, taking the American athlete for a high-speed passenger ride around Yas Marina Circuit in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
With the Emirati racing driver behind the wheel, Peña experienced Abu Dhabi’s Formula One circuit from the passenger seat ahead of her Real American Freestyle debut at Etihad Arena on 14 November.
The meeting brought together two women whose careers have taken them into very different competitive environments, with Al Qubaisi sharing her experience on track before Peña’s turn to compete.
A memorable introduction to the circuit
“This was an amazing experience — a dream come true,” Peña said after the ride. She praised Al Qubaisi’s driving and described experiencing the car’s G-forces as a source of additional motivation ahead of her appearance at RAF Abu Dhabi.
Al Qubaisi said she enjoyed showing Peña what driving on the circuit feels like. She highlighted their shared passion for competition and wished her passenger success in her upcoming match.
“It’s always great to see women succeeding in sport,” the Emirati driver said.
Al Qubaisi’s growing international profile
The experience came during a significant year for Al Qubaisi. In 2026, she became the first woman to compete in the Pro class of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, adding another chapter to her career in international motorsport.
Earlier in the year, F1 Academy reported that she had recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes within the opening six races of that campaign.
Al Qubaisi previously competed in the 2023 and 2024 F1 Academy seasons, taking two victories during her debut year. Her progression has taken her from single-seater competition into a new challenge in Porsche racing.
Her influence was also recognised beyond the results sheet when she appeared in the Leaders category of TIME’s inaugural 100 Most Influential People in Sports list for 2026, alongside figures from across global sport.
Peña brings championship experience to Abu Dhabi
Peña arrives with a substantial competitive history of her own. A two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion, she won her first title by submitting Amanda Nunes in the second round at UFC 269 in December 2021.
She regained the championship in October 2024 with a split-decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Her second reign ended against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025.
Peña also won season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2013, an early milestone in a professional career that began in 2009. Her Abu Dhabi appearance introduces a different competitive setting, with RAF bringing established mixed martial artists and wrestlers together in freestyle wrestling.
From Yas Marina to Etihad Arena
Peña is scheduled to face Diana Avsaragova in a women’s middleweight crossover match as RAF makes its Middle East debut in the UAE capital.
The event is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev against former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Arman Tsarukyan, Neiman Gracie and Urijah Faber are also among the announced participants.
Both the track experience and the wrestling showcase take place on Yas Island, with Peña moving from a passenger role at the circuit to the centre of competition at the arena.
For viewers following from home, RAF lists its Middle East and North Africa broadcast on STARZPLAY from 8pm UAE time on 14 November.
