Amanda Nunes reacts after defeating Cris Cyborg by first round knockout to become the new UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion during UFC 232 at the Forum in Inglewood Ca, Saturday, Dec 29, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Amanda Nunes set to defend UFC women’s bantamweight title against Julianna Pena
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is set to defend her belt against Julianna Pena at UFC 265 later this summer.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to report that Nunes vs. Pena was official for UFC 265. That card will take place on August 7, but there is no venue or location announced for the card yet. With Las Vegas now allowing visitors to the city, it’s possible the card could be held there just as UFC 264 is. But with many different states allowing fans to come and sit in arenas now, there is a chance it could be held somewhere else, such as in Florida or Houston like UFC 261 and UFC 262 are, respectively.
Nunes (21-4) has won her last 12 fights in a row and overall holds an incredible UFC record of 14-1. Looking at the list of names that Nunes has vanquished is just downright impressive. The Brazilian has beaten fighters such as Germaine de Randamie, Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg, Miesha Tate, and Felisha Spencer, just to name a few. As well, she has been beating opponents at both 135lbs and at 145lbs. It’s just incredibly impressive what she has been doing in the Octagon and it doesn’t appear as though she will be slowing down anytime soon. Just as she is every fight, it seems reasonable to expect Nunes will be favored to win this fight.
Pena (10-4) is coming off of a submission win over Sara McMann to earn this title shot with Nunes. Pena doesn’t necessarily deserve to fight for the belt, but there are not many other options in the division. Still, considering she is just 2-2 over her last four fights, she should feel very fortunate that the UFC is giving her this title shot. Pena will have the wrestling to make the fight interesting, but it’s hard to confidently predict that she will be the one fighter who can give Nunes problems in the UFC.
Who do you think wins between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena?
