Amanda Nunes regained her double champion status with a one-sided decision victory over Julianna Pena in a bloody, exhausting, frenetic rematch after Brandon Moreno’s brilliant third-round liver kick against Kai Kara-France secured his status as new interim flyweight champion. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Alexandre Pantoja, Magomed Ankalaev and more besides.
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Tag: Julianna Pena
UFC 277: Nunes’ passion reignited before Pena rematch, Moreno keen to derail Kara-France
Amanda Nunes looks to right last year’s wrong against Julianna Pena in the latter’s first title defence at women’s bantamweight, while there’s an interim strap up for grabs at flyweight between two familiar foes: former champion Brandon Moreno and a streaking Kai Kara-France, almost three years after their first meeting. They all had plenty to say ahead of Saturday’s PPV. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 55: Lingering questions persist, a week after Holm-Vieira disputed decision
Seven days on from a split decision result that sparked social media debate at the UFC Vegas 55 main event, I take a deeper look at a women’s bantamweight matchup between two top-ranked contenders which may have significant implications in the division’s title picture. Continue reading
UFC 275 Virtual Presser: Santos keen to wrestle, Joanna targeting revenge and more
Ahead of next month’s PPV event in Singapore, with two championship fights and a highly-anticipated title eliminator at strawweight, the six headline fighters spoke on a virtual press conference with a variety of answers – from what’s to come for them respectively in June and potentially beyond, like double-champ status and one fighter eyeing another title rematch. Continue reading
UFC 269: Pena dethrones Nunes, before Oliveira submits Poirier on crazy night
The final UFC PPV event of 2021 certainly lived up to the billing, as Charles Oliveira rallied from a frenetic first-round to make the first defence of his lightweight strap against Dustin Poirier. Prior, his compatriot Amanda Nunes was stunned by a fierce Julianna Pena display – who similarly recovered from a slow start to shock the world with a round two rear-naked choke. Continue reading
UFC 269: Julianna Pena on Amanda Nunes’ privilege, ahead of next month’s title fight
After leaving UFC 265 unsatisfied, UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena (#4) has needed to keep herself composed and in shape while waiting for a rescheduled title fight date. Now that the Dec. 11 date is finalised, the 32-year-old is itching to make up for lost time against two-division champion Amanda Nunes – who she says has been avoiding her for years.
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UFC 269: Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight title fight in the works
Per a recent report from MMAFighting.com, the promotion is targeting Charles Oliveira’s first lightweight title defence to be against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11 – verbal agreements are already in place, though contracts haven’t yet been issued. That PPV already has a title bout slated: Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight strap vs. Julianna Pena. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland keen to solve the Uriah Hall puzzle in main event
On a rare weekend overshadowed by Bellator’s featherweight title main event, this is far from a sexy main event on paper but Uriah Hall (#9) vs Sean Strickland (#11) feels like a middleweight matchup with implications aplenty for both – especially considering the latter has won four straight and will be targeting the top guns should he pass this latest acid test at 185lbs. Will he? Continue reading
Ask and you may receive: Julianna Pena’s boldness earns her dubious title shot
After news broke that two-weight champion Amanda Nunes would be defending her 135-lb belt against #6 ranked women’s bantamweight Julianna Pena at UFC 265 on August 7 yesterday, it again reinforced the unwritten rule that some momentum, mixed with trash talk and geniune heat can be utilised to skip the traditional queue under the guise of a fresh divisional matchup.
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Coming out of retirement, former UFC champion Miesha Tate returns on July 17
A one-off or necessary acid test as she targets becoming a two-time champion? After a four-and-a-half year retirement, former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (18-7, 5-4 UFC) makes her return on July 17 against Marion Reneau in the latter’s final professional fight.
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UFC 257: Dustin Poirier avenges Conor McGregor loss, after Chandler’s emphatic debut
Dustin Poirier (#2) avenged his defeat to Conor McGregor (#4) on the Irishman’s Octagon return with an impressive second-round KO win, after Michael Chandler put the lightweight division on notice by blasting #6 ranked Dan Hooker inside a round during the UFC 257 co-main event. Continue reading
UFC on ESPN 16: Holly Holm dominant in main event UD win over Irene Aldana
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Holly Holm showed why she’s the #2 ranked women’s bantamweight contender with a commanding decision win against Irene Aldana (#6) in the night’s main event, after Germaine de Randamie showed evolution in her game – defending her number one contender spot for Amanda Nunes’ belt courtesy of a third-round submission victory to stifle Julianna Pena (#4).
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