LAS VEGAS – Julianna Pena was cast as the villain on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

And the way she’s thinking about things now that the season is over, that’s just fine.

“Looking back on it, the experience – it couldn’t have gone any other way,” Pena said. “I’m glad that they hated on me and pigeonholed me a little bit. It was the fuel that lit my truck in order for me to go forward and make it to the finale. Looking back on it, it played out exactly as it needed to in order for me to be successful.”

Pena submitted both her opponents once in the “TUF 18” house to set up a women’s tournament final against Jessica Rakoczy on Saturday at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Pena is more than a 2-to-1 favorite against Rakoczy, a former professional boxer. But she’s not thinking about the odds being in her favor.

“I don’t look at it as favorite or underdog,” Pena said. “I think the chances are 50-50 and anything can happen in there. Her chances are just as good as mine. I’m just going to go in there and do what I can do and focus on what I can do.”

Check out the video interview with Pena above. Then don’t miss Saturday’s TUF 18 Finale with a main card on FOX Sports 1 (10 p.m. ET) following prelims on FOX Sports 1 (8 p.m. ET) and MMAjunkie (7:30 p.m.).

And for the latest on the TUF 18 Finale, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.