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Tag: Amanda Nunes

  • Michael Bisping Thinks Amanda Nunes Wins Julianna Peña Rematch

    Michael Bisping likes former UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes’ chances in an immediate rematch against Julianna Peña.

    Nunes’ loss to Peña was arguably one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history. After some brief success early on in the fight, Nunes looked gassed in Round 2 and let Peña dictate the pace on the feet. Peña would then secure a big takedown and eventually lock in the submission for the win.

    Nunes’ loss to Peña snapped an incredible run in the UFC in which she won titles at both bantamweight and featherweight. The defeat snapped a 12-fight winning streak and was her first loss since UFC 178 against Cat Zingano.

    During a recent segment on his YouTube channel, Bisping broke down his thoughts on a Nunes/Peña rematch and what went wrong for Nunes at UFC 269.

    “I think she’ll come back and I think she’ll fight Julianna Peña and I think she beats Julianna in a rematch,” Bisping said. “In that first round, she outclassed Julianna. She was the better person, she put her down twice, she controlled her in the clinch, she controlled her on the ground. It was a good round for Nunes but she got tired. She got tired, you could clearly see it. And also she showed a little naivety, she showed a little lack of experience, she showed a little – she didn’t show the best fight I.Q.

    “When you’re in a fight – and I’ve been there many times – when you’re in a fight, you’re in the UFC, you go in there and it’s a big fight, a main event or whatever, there’s thousands of people and you’re the f*cking star and things don’t go your way and BANG you get caught with a shot and you’re rocked, what we saw Nunes do – and it’s commendable and the crowd loved it and they’re all screaming and cheering – she just stood there swinging back and forth,” Bisping continued. “What Nunes should have done was be a little bit more crafty. She should have got on her bike, use her footwork to be a little bit more elusive, dance around the octagon a little bit, get your equilibrium back…

    “Nunes probably beats her in the rematch. I’m not taking away from what she did. I honestly believe Nunes will beat her in the rematch.”

    Amanda Nunes Seems Focused On Julianna Peña Rematch

    Just days after her loss to Peña at UFC 269, Nunes took to Instagram to formally accept Dana White’s offer of an immediate rematch.

    While Peña stated that she’s certainly interested in a Nunes rematch, she’s also voiced his desire to avenge previous losses to Valentina Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie.

    White has all but confirmed an immediate rematch between Nunes and Peña, and it’s expected to be what’s next in the bantamweight title picture. It’s unclear when it’ll happen, but it seems like a Nunes/Peñarematch is inevitable.

    How do you think Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes 2 would play out?

  • Sonnen: Amanda Nunes “Quit” During “Mental Beating” At UFC 269

    Former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes Amanda Nunes’ shocking defeat to Julianna Peña was a “mental beating,” not a physical one.

    In one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, Peña secured her place on the bantamweight throne in the final pay-per-view co-main event of the year this past weekend. Heading into the contest, Nunes was unbeaten since 2014, held both the 135-pound and 145-pound titles, and had defeated the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, and Holly Holm across a 12-fight win streak.

    Peña, meanwhile, was 2-2 in her last four fights after suffering defeats to Shevchenko and Germain de Randamie. Nevertheless, “The Venezuelan Vixen” boasted unwavering confidence throughout fight week, something that crossed over into the octagon on Saturday night.

    After dropping the opening round, Peña came out in the second ready to shock the world. Taking the attack to the “Lioness” on the feet like nobody before her, the 32-year-old rocked the Brazilian and wore her out. After dragging her to the mat with ease, Peña forced the tap in seconds with a rear-naked choke.

    Sonnen: “Julianna Was In A Terrible Position”

    Very few predicted Nunes’ bantamweight reign would come to an end inside the T-Mobile Arena on December 11. One man that did was former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Chael Sonnen. The 44-year-old branded the matchup as “the most likely upset” of the former champ’s entire career and a “stylistic disaster” for Nunes.

    With his prediction ringing true, Sonnen has discussed the incredible result. The analyst suggested Nunes “quit” against Peña, who he doesn’t believe was in a position where she should have been able to secure a victory at the time.

    “I got to tell you man, that was a different fight. We’ve seen upsets before… If you take Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, where Mike is trying to get up and he just can’t beat the count or when Ronda Rousey got her head kicked into the third row but she didn’t want it to happen. This was totally different. Amanda flicked it. That was 100% mental beating, zero percent physical. That submission wasn’t there… That was not a move, that was absolutely not a fighting technique. Julianna was in a terrible position and Amanda quit!” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Off the back of one of the most remarkable underdog successes in the promotion’s history, talk has now turned to what the future holds for both the newly crowned bantamweight queen and the fallen “Lioness.”

    While a rematch certainly appears to be the obvious choice, Peña revealed she’s also hoping to get back the losses she suffered against Shevchenko and de Randamie, both of which she believes she had in the bag before making “amateur mistakes.”

    If either of those happen, Nunes would seemingly look to defend her featherweight title. Whilst a super-fight with two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has likely lost some momentum as a result of Nunes’ defeat, you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan or pundit not interested in seeing the two teammates collide still.

    Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Did Amanda Nunes quit at UFC 269?

  • Amanda Nunes Accepts Rematch Against Julianna Peña

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is all-in on an immediate rematch against Julianna Peña following UFC 269.

    Nunes had early success against Peña in their showdown at UFC 269. However, this was short-lived as Peña was the more aggressive fighter in round 2. After landing a series of devastating strikes, Peña changed levels and secured a rear-naked choke for arguably the greatest upset in UFC history.

    Almost immediately after Peña’s win, many around the UFC community already began to speculate about an immediate rematch with Nunes. UFC president Dana White said in his UFC 269 post-fight press conference that if Nunes wanted it, she’ll get an immediate second chance against Pena.

    After getting word of White’s comments, Nunes responded via an Instagram post just days after the event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbl4W_PS62/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “You think I’m going to go out unbalanced,” Nunes said. “I undoubtedly accept the rematch. Give me a little time to get my shit together and I will be back better than ever.”

    Amanda Nunes Isn’t The Only Name On Julianna Peña’s Radar

    Shortly after her win over Nunes at UFC 269, Pena was already looking ahead to what could be next in her title reign. While she iterated that she’s open to a rematch with Nunes, she’s also interested in avenging previous losses to Germaine de Randamie and Valentina Shevchenko.

    Shevchenko had previously hinted at a trilogy with Nunes after two close losses, but that appears to be on the back burner for now. A bantamweight showdown with Peña could be a very intriguing fight for the fans and both women.

    It’s unclear how much time off Nunes will need as she works her way back to the Octagon. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be surprising if the promotion looks at booking Peña against either Shevchenko or De Randamie next.

    How do you think a Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes rematch plays out?

  • Nate Diaz Praises Julianna Peña In Response To UFC 269 Homage

    They say that real recognize real, and if that is the case, then Nate Diaz certainly recognized the real upset that Julianna Peña got at UFC 269.

    In what is being considered arguably the biggest upset in MMA history, Peña was able to submit who many consider the greatest female fighter of all time by tapping Amanda Nunes out in the second round of their bantamweight title contest.

    Following this victory, while speaking to Joe Rogan in her post-fight interview inside the Octagon, the newly crowned champion said that she was not surprised, quoting the famous interview that the younger Diaz brother gave when he submitted Conor McGregor on short notice.

    It seems That Nate Diaz caught wind of this homage and decided to pay his respects back. Posting to Twitter, Stockton’s own praised Peña for being able to score this massive upset victory, while displaying both of their interviews side by side, noting the similarities between the two situations.

    “When you know you know…Congratulations to @VenezuelanVixen #beast ?” Diaz wrote.

    Nate Diaz is correct in noting that Julianna Peña was a beast in her title-winning fight against the highly revered Amanda Nunes. That being said, the biggest difference between her win and his is that while he took his fight on super short notice against a McGregor who was fresh off of a title victory at featherweight, she dethroned a long-standing champion who has been dominating two weight divisions for years.

    Nevertheless, it is great to see Diaz showing Peña some respect in return for the tip of the cap that she gave in his direction. The only thing that is certain in the sport of mixed martial arts is that absolutely nothing is certain, and it is hard to deny that they are both proof of that.

  • Julianna Peña’s Victory Lap Includes Circling Back To Three Opponents

    Newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña is ready and willing to fight whomever the UFC puts in front of her, but there are three names she specifically has in mind.

    At UFC 269, Julianna Peña pulled off the upset of the year and one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when she submitted Amanda Nunes in the co-main event. UFC President Dana White has already expressed interest in booking a rematch between the two if Nunes wants it. But what about the new champ?

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” did not hesitate to commit to the idea.

    “We can do it next week, I’m free next month, two months from now. Whenever they want to do it, I’m ready,” Peña said during the UFC 269 post-fight press conference. “In all fairness, I’ve been in camp for a year. I really think my daughter deserves some well-deserved mommy time, a little vacation. After that, definitely. If she wants to do a rematch, we can do a rematch.”

    Julianna Peña Eyes Two Other Rematches

    Julianna Pena eyes quick turnaround after submission loss to Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Island 4 - MMAmania.com

    The outside world did not have much faith in Julianna Peña heading into UFC 269, but there was one thing most everyone could agree on about her: she was not short on confidence.

    Therefore, it should come as no surprise that she sees herself remaining in full control of whom she fights next outside of an Amanda Nunes rematch. And if she has it her way, not only will she give a rematch, but she will also receive two rematches to avenge her only losses in the UFC.

    “I think that there’s some rematches that I want to do. I would like to go down and challenge Valentina Shevchenko. I would love to get that rematch against Germaine de Randamie. I would love a rematch, if that’s what she wants, against Amanda Nunes. Those are the rematches that I have in my peripheral.”

    Peña’s loss to current women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko took place in 2017 via armbar in what was then a #1-contender bout. And last year, Peña dropped a fight to former featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie via third-round guillotine.

    Below, you check out the start of Julianna Peña’s victory lap around her naysayers in this Octagon interview following her UFC 269 upset of Amanda Nunes.

    How do you think Julianna Peña would fare if this rematch tour comes together?

  • Amanda Nunes Reacts To Stunning UFC 269 Loss To Julianna Peña

    UFC superstar Amanda Nunes has spoken out on social media for the first time since her bantamweight title loss to Julianna Peña.

    Nunes got off to a strong start against Peña at UFC 269, dropping her with a big right hand just minutes into the fight. However, Peña was able to survive the early onslaught and come out strong in the second round.

    After a wild flurry of strikes by both women on the feet, Peña earned a hard takedown and quickly got Nunes’ back with relative ease. Peña secured the stunning victory with a rear-naked choke to pull off the monumental upset.

    Just minutes after the loss, Nunes spoke with Joe Rogan about what went wrong against Peña.

    “Nothing was surprising at all,” Nunes said in her Octagon interview. “I knew she was going to come forward. Just today, I checked out. I need to work on a couple of things and fix it, get back in the gym, and come back soon. Congratulations to Julianna, she’s a warrior.”

    Amanda Nunes Posted A Family Picture Following UFC 269

    The day after the loss, Nunes took to Instagram to thank her fans and share a picture with her family and coach.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXY9r6jLBU3/

    “Thank you so very much everyone!” Nunes said. “Life goes on.”

    Nunes’ loss to Peña was undoubtedly one of the most stunning upsets in combat sports history. Nunes has dominated the competition for years and earned both the bantamweight and featherweight titles, which has defended simultaneously.

    Before losing to Peña, Nunes hadn’t lost a fight since her defeat to Cat Zingano at UFC 178. This would be the turning point in her career as she would go on a 12-fight winning streak against some of the best female fighters in the UFC.

    An immediate rematch is certainly warranted for Nunes, assuming that she wants to run it back right away with Pena. For now, she’s looking ahead to a bounceback in 2022.

    What should be next for Amanda Nunes?

  • Dana White Says Amanda Nunes Will Get Peña Rematch If She Wants It

    Amanda Nunes may have lost for the first time in seven years, but she still is in the driver’s seat of what happens next at the top of the bantamweight division.

    At UFC 269, Julianna Peña stunned a public that bet Amanda Nunes up to be a -1000 favorite heading into the co-main event. Not only did Peña pull off the upset, but she was able to get the finish within two rounds.

    UFC 269: Amanda Nunes stunningly CHOKED OUT by Julianna Pena in one of biggest upset wins in MMA history - thejjReport
    Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes

    The finish was convincing. And although “doubt” would be an understatement regarding what Peña was up against coming into the fight, she managed to leave none about who deserved to have their hand raised at UFC 269. Indeed, odds aside, Julianna Peña proved to be the better woman on the night of December 11, and her bulletproof confidence was rewarded with bantamweight gold.

    Peña vs. Nunes 2 Already In The Works?

    However, be all that as it may, Julianna Peña may just have to turn around and do what no one has ever done before: defeat Amanda Nunes twice. All that needs to happen to place this task in front of her is “The Lioness” saying the word.

    “It’s a big rematch if [Nunes] wants it,” White said at the UFC 269 post-fight press conference.

    During the UFC 269 pre-fight press conference, Peña was actually asked about this scenario of an immediate rematch when it was all completely hypothetical. Here is what she had to say:

    “Yes, an immediate rematch, and when I win that fight, I will be 11-2 in the division, which is a better bantamweight record in the history of the bantamweight division.”

    If this remains Peña’s stance, then all that’s left is the green light from Amanda Nunes. MMA News will keep you posted if and when that immediate rematch becomes a work in progress.

    Do you think there should be an immediate rematch between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña?

  • 7 Takeaways From UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier

    UFC 269 featured two title fights that crowned a new queen of the women’s bantamweight division and a current champion proved himself as worthy of holding the title he won earlier this year.

    There was a lot to take away from UFC 269, here are some things that stood out.

    O’Malley vs. Garbrandt?

    During the pre-fight press conference, Sean O’Malley and Cody Garbrandt went after each other, even though they both had their own fights with other people at UFC 269 to worry about. Still, O’Malley seemed to think it would be a good idea for them to square up at the press conference for a future event. Is this something you want to see?

    Lost One 

    Alex Perez
    Image Credit: Jeff Sherwood of Sherdog.com

    It happens enough these days, bookmakers should start laying odds on what fight will get pulled from a card, and for what reason. After the weigh-ins, the UFC announced that the flyweight bout between Matt Schnell and Alex Perez was canceled due to medical issues with Schnell.

    The Savage Gets Back in The Win Column

    Gillian Robertson was on a two-fight losing streak going into UFC 269. If that wasn’t enough fuel to pick up a win, her opponent Priscila Cachoeira missed weight and they fought at a catchweight. Robertson scored the first submission and finish of the night to get back in the win column and did it with Cachoeira fighting dirty. Losers never win, and Robertson proved that here. Check out Robertson’s submission finish and doing it while Cahcoeira was poking her in the eye.

    Kai-Kara France

    UFC 269 results: Kai Kara-France spoils Cody Garbrandt's flyweight debut with massive TKO win - CBSSports.com
    Kai Kara-France. Image Credit: Jeff Bottari

    France stopped Garbrandt in his tracks for Garbrandt’s flyweight debut, leaving questions for Garbrandt’s future but opening doors for France. With his first-round finish of the former bantamweight champion, France made it known he has his eyes on Brandon Moreno and Deivison Figueredo. Either fight would make a great future match-up for him. 

    Dominick Cruz

    UFC 269 tweets: Pros react to Dominick Cruz comeback win, Daniel Cormier commentary controversy - MMA Fighting
    Dominick Cruz, Image Credit: MMA Fighting

    Cruz made news for his criticism of Daniel Cormier’s broadcast style on fight week and that may have taken away from the fact that regardless of how anyone handles a mic, Cruz can still manage the cage better. It’s obvious he does just as much homework for fights as he does for his broadcast duties. Cruz fought and won against a very tough Pedro Munhoz to pick up a decisive victory. If there’s a fight to make, maybe he and Jose Aldo could headline a card in 2022.

    And New!

    UFC 269 results, highlights: Julianna Pena scores shocking upset of Amanda Nunes to claim title - CBSSports.com
    Julianna Pena, Image Credit: Chris Unger

    A huge underdog, Julianna Peña came in with nothing but heart and a great jab that would hand Nunes the loss that would cost her the title, and crown The Venezuelan Vixen the new bantamweight champion. Peña was a +650 underdog and when the going got tough, Peña’s resolve would be the fuel that won her the title. 

    And Still!

    UFC 269 results: Charles Oliveira taps Dustin Poirier to retain title
    Charles Oliveira. Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports

    Diamonds are tough but “Do Bronx” is tougher as Charles Oliveira proved that he can stand with the tougher, more damaging fighter the likes of Dustin Poirier. Oliveira’s chin was definitely tested in this fight, especially in round one but if there were a physical demonstration of “being like water,” Oliveira definitely did it to Poirier when he scored the submission victory. 

    There’s obviously more to take away from this event than what is listed here especially with it being the last one of 2021. New challengers for various titles, up-and-coming fighters looking to get in the top 15, and potential rematches to make. The UFC certainly closed their pay-per-view schedule well.

    What did you take away from the event? Better yet, what would you like to see in 2022?

  • Fighters React To Julianna Pena Tapping Amanda Nunes To Win Women’s Bantamweight Title At UFC 269

    Julianna Pena shocked the world when she defeated Amanda Nunes to win the UFC women’s bantamweight title.

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (December 11, 2021) at the UFC 269 pay-per-view event from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    In the first round, Nunes dropped her twice – once with a leg kick then a jab. Pena tried to go for a takedown, but that didn’t work. Nunes got a takedown and even had her back at one point. Pena had her in a kimura for a bit, but the round ended. In the second round, Pena came out swinging and they had an unbelievable exchange for a few minutes. Nunes got tired. Pena clinched with her up against the fence before taking her down and locking in the rear-naked choke for the win. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    In her previous fight, Nunes retained the featherweight strap over Megan Anderson by first-round submission at UFC 259. Before that, she retained the bantamweight strap over Felicia Spencer at the UFC 250 pay-per-view event got a decision victory over Germaine de Randamie at UFC 245 by decision and another impressive victory at the expense of former champ Holly Holm at the UFC 239 pay-per-view event. Nunes knocked out Cris Cyborg in the first round in the co-headliner of UFC 232 to win the UFC women’s featherweight title on December 29, 2018, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. With that win, Nunes became a two-division champion as she’s the champ of the women’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

    Pena entered this fight with a 10-4 pro-MMA record and had gone 2-2 in her last four fights to get here. She lost to Valentina Shevchenko by submission in January 2017 before getting a decision win over Nicco Montaño, but dropped a loss to Germaine de Randamie by decision in October 2020. She rebounded with a submission win over Sara McMann. 

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    UFC 269 Results: Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier, Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC 269. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Flashback To Nunes & Peña Agreeing To Title Fight In 2016

    There is some documentation to back up Julianna Peña’s claim that Amanda Nunes agreed to fight her after UFC 200.

    Julianna Peña’s warpath to a title shot against “The Lionness” Amanda Nunes will culminate in the battle tonight at UFC 269. One of Pena’s many claims leading up to the fight is that Nunes was supposed to fight her all the way back in 2016 after Nunes defeated Miesha Tate for the title at UFC 200. As it happens, this claim is backed up with some documentation.

    “Now that we know @RondaRousey isn’t coming back, I would love to, darling,” Nunes posted in a 2016 tweet directed at Peña.

    At that moment of time, with the sacred space of Twitter bearing witness, we appeared to have a bout for the UFC female bantamweight title sealed.

    However, Nunes would go on to fight Rousey after all at UFC 207 in one-sided beatdown while Peña lost to Shevchenko (and her title shot hopes) one month later.

    At the time Nunes sent the above tweet in 2016, Peña was skeptical even then. She claimed that Nunes had been ducking her for two years at that point, a claim “The Venezeuan Vixen” would continue repeating in 2021. That means Peña has been accusing Nunes of ducking her for a total of seven years. 

    “You have ducked me for 2 years. I’ll believe it when I see you on the otherside of the cage.”

    Peña will be made into a believer tonight when she finally stands across the cage from Amanda Nunes tonight at UFC 269. Here’s another look at how long Peña has been wanting to fight Nunes in a video shared on the ESPN MMA Twitter page Friday night.

    How do you see this five-year saga between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña concluding tonight at UFC 269?

  • Nunes Prepared For Peña The Same Way She Prepared For Meisha Tate

    Amanda Nunes feels well-prepared for the “Venezuelan Vixen.” 

    Every fight is a different affair. Amanda Nunes knows this going into UFC 269. So, while Nunes does look back on her past camps and opponents before she faces a new challenger, the American Top Team standout also tweaks everything just enough for the fresh challenges that Julianna Peña brings (h/t Bloody Elbow).

    “Julianna is an opponent I’ve known ever since the TUF days, which she won. I really know her style. She’s really close with Miesha Tate and they have the same style of fighting, but I think Julianna is even more of a grinder. We used a little bit of my camp for Tate for this Julianna fight, but with a bit more precision.”

    Amanda Nunes Smashes Meisha Tate at UFC 200 Image Credit: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

    Staying Grounded As The Champ-Champ

    With wins over the likes of Ronda Rousey, Meisha Tate, Cris  Cyborg, and Holly Holm, many consider Nunes the best woman fighter to ever grace the Octagon. But the two-division champ doesn’t let her 12-fight win streak go to her head. “The Lioness” knows every opponent who stands across from her in the cage is hungry and ready to take what’s hers. 

    “I’m really looking forward to it, but at the same time I’m keeping my feet on the ground. I know everyone who walks into that cage will do their best to win. She has nothing to lose. I’m the champion and she’s going to come at me to take my belt. I just need to be really sharp so I can finish the fight at the right moment.”

    Peña earned her shot at the champ after submitting another former title challenger in Sarah McMann at UFC 257. Pena and Nunes were expected to clash at UFC 265, but Nunes tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the bout. 

    The Saturday will be the Nunes’ first trip back to bantamweight in almost two years. The champ spent 2020 and 2021 thus far, defending her featherweight belt against Megan Anderson and Felicia Spencer. 

  • Dana White Uninterested In Nunes/Shevchenko Trilogy

    UFC fans are starting to talk about a possible Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy, but UFC president Dana White isn’t keen on the idea.

    Nunes is set to face Julianna Peña in her first bantamweight title defense in two years at UFC 245. She’s recently put on dominant performances as she defended her featherweight title against Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson.

    Nunes is beginning to run out of potential contenders at both bantamweight and featherweight, and talks of a Shevchenko trilogy have resurfaced. However, White isn’t as interested in a third fight happening between the two top female UFC fighters as most could be led to believe.

    “I don’t know if that fight needs to happen,” White said in a recent interview with TSN. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about it a lot. You know they’re both incredible in their weight classes. They already fought twice. Why do it again?”

    Amanda Nunes Valentina Shevchenko
    Image Credit: Dave Mandel of Sherdog.com

    Nunes and Shevchenko are arguably the two top female fighters in MMA history and have managed to each dominate their respective weight classes since their two matchups in the Octagon. Shevchenko’s losses to Nunes are the only blemishes she has had during her time in the promotion.

    White isn’t completely closed off to the idea of a third fight, but the fans would need to let their voices be heard.

    “I would imagine if they wanted to do it bad enough and the fans wanted it bad enough, I would do it but I don’t see much point in it.”

    Nunes has had issues in her recent bantamweight title fights cutting down to 135 pounds but is also running out of potential suitors at 145. It’s unclear who could be next for her as she looks to defend each of her titles.

    While Shevchenko hasn’t been pleading for another shot at Nunes, she’s remained open to the idea of a trilogy. It’s unclear whether or not Nunes feels the same and whether or not it’ll be enough to warrant a third matchup.

    Would you like to see an Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy?

  • Amanda Nunes Knows She Has All The Answers For ‘Delusional’ Peña

    Amanda Nunes isn’t letting Julianna Peña’s trash talk get to her.

    Amanda Nunes is on the top of many people’s “Greatest of all Time” lists. She is the current two-division champ and has beaten some of the best the UFC has ever had to offer. She now is preparing for her sixth bantamweight title defense against Julianna Peña. Peña has been very confident heading into this match up but that doesn’t seem to be phasing Nunes at all.

    “She’s delusional,” Nunes told MMA Junkie. “What about her best friend, Miesha Tate? What about Sara McMann? Sara McMann almost beat her. Sara McMann give up in the fight. If she didn’t give up, she would’ve beat Julianna. I beat Sara McMann years ago. I feel like she can talk about whatever she wants. She has to do that to bring all the attention. I’m going to tell her she can have all the attention she wants because Saturday is my night. Nobody is going to take that belt from me.”

    Peña is 2-2 in her last four fights, whereas Nunes has won 12 in a row in two different divisions. Nunes believes she has the answers for Peña no matter where the fight goes. Peña has scored only one submission victory since coming to the UFC and has won two fights by TKO in that time.

    “She has all the holes, so I can finish her on the floor,” Nunes said. “Germaine (de Randamie) finished her. Germaine is a striker and finished Julianna Pena. My game is above all those girls she fought. I just need a mistake from her on the striking or on the floor.”

    Nunes vs. Peña will serve as the co-main event on the stacked UFC 269 card. If Peña can win it will be the first time the bantamweight title has changed hands since 2016. Peña believes she can be the one to finally dethrone “The Lioness”.

    Do you think Julianna Peña has what it takes to get past Amanda Nunes and win the belt at UFC 269?

  • Peña Looks To Be ‘A Serial Killer’ Against Nunes Over Getting ‘Cute’ Title

    Julianna Peña has some serious goals in her UFC 269 title fight with Amanda Nunes, and getting the belt is secondary.

    Peña is looking to accomplish what man believe to be an insurmountable task when she faces off against Nunes in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC 269. She hopes to be the first person to get a win over the champ-champ since 2014, ending her 12-fight unbeaten streak.

    This is the first opportunity Peña has had at getting a UFC title, and while that may be intimidating to some, it is not even the primary focus that she has heading into the fight.

    Speaking to ESPN, she explained that she is more focused on performing at her best and doing the things that she believes will lead to her fighting her best fight, with the title being a secondary factor in her focus.

    “If I get a belt at the end of the night, that’s cute.  But at the end of the day, it’s about challenging myself, and taking this opportunity, and seizing the moment. And no one’s gonna hand you anything in this life. You gotta go out there and get it. And that’s my job, and it’s my opportunity. And I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I feel like I got everything to gain, nothing to lose, and the pressure is mostly on her,“ Peña said.

    “But for the most part, I just have to stick to the task at hand, focus on the level of intensity that I’m bringing, and realize that I’m a serial killer. And on that night, my heart is black, I don’t have a heart, and I’m going in there to kill or be killed.”

    This is certainly an admirable mindset from Julianna Peña as she prepares for what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of her MMA career. Of course, she has a lofty test ahead of her and will be going up against one of the best to ever do it in Amanda Nunes, but it seems clear that the Venezuelan Vixen is prepared to give it her all.

    Watch her full interview in the video below:

  • Dana White Invites Kayla Harrison To Prove She’s The Best Against Nunes

    The UFC has joined the Kayla Harrison sweepstakes.

    The UFC featherweight division has been relatively dormant since its inception in 2017. Four years in, there still are not any rankings for the division, and the roster continues to be flimsy at best, with no signs of that changing anytime soon.

    For instance, one of the very few featherweights under contract, Felicia Spencer, made the decision to retire last week. That same week, Aspen Ladd, who made her featherweight debut recently after weight struggles at bantamweight, has announced that she intends to go back down to 135.

    Ladd also is on record in telling MMA News that the UFC’s featherweight division needs Kayla Harrison if it is going to survive. Now that Harrison is a free agent, it is entirely possible that she could come in and help save the division.

    Dana White Reveals The UFC Is In Talks With Kayla Harrison

    Kayla Harrison, Dana White
    Kayla Harrison, Dana White

    However, according to Dana White, the fate of the division isn’t in the hands of the two-time PFL lightweight champion but is dependent on the UFC’s reigning featherweight champ, Amanda Nunes.

    “That division is still there for the champ,” White said Wednesday in an interview with TSN. “The day (Nunes) says she doesn’t want to defend that belt anymore, we probably let it go. It’s there for her. And I’m interested in the whole Kayla Harrison thing. She thinks she’s the best in the world. There’s only one way to find out: come over here and fight the GOAT.”

    It wasn’t long ago that Dana White advised Kayla Harrison to stick with the PFL and continue taking what he deemed to be easy money. Such a nonchalant indifference to one of the biggest free agents in recent history came across as potential reverse psychology.

    This about-face indicates that may have been precisely what it was, or perhaps other UFC executives later persuaded White to make a play for the Olympic gold medalist. Whatever the reason, White confirmed to TSN that the UFC is, in fact, in active talks with Kayla Harrison, and those talks will culminate with her joining the UFC if she really wants to prove she’s the best.

    As for the matter of Harrison and Nunes being teammates at American Top Team? A total nonfactor for a competitor like Amanda Nunes, says White.

    “Well, first of all, Amanda Nunes is one of the best athletes I’ve ever worked with, and she doesn’t play all that goofy, ‘We’re friends’ shit,” White assured.

    Bellator has also confirmed interest in Kayla Harrison, with company president Scott Coker saying in last week’s Bellator 272 post-fight press conference that the promotion will meet with her this week. PFL also hopes to retain her services for the fourth year.

    MMA News will be right on top of Kayla Harrison’s free agency and fill you in on all the latest updates.

    Do you think Kayla Harrison should follow Dana White’s revised advice and fight Amanda Nunes in the UFC to “prove she’s the best?”

  • Amanda Nunes: Nobody Talks Like Julianna Peña

    Two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes says facing someone as willing to engage in trash talk as Julianna Peña will be new to her at UFC 269.

    For the first time since her 2019 victory over Germaine de Randamie, Nunes will be returning to bantamweight to defend her 135-pound title this weekend at the final pay-per-view of 2021. Across the last two years, the “Lioness” has successfully fended off the challenges of Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson at featherweight.

    This Saturday’s co-main event offers Nunes the chance to record her sixth defense at bantamweight, matching the tally of former champ Ronda Rousey, and her eighth overall during her reign as double champ. In her way will be Peña, a confident contender who currently sits at #3 in the rankings.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CVYNcHJLHr1/

    Despite a mixed record in recent years, Peña cemented her shot earlier this year, largely due to her willingness to talk trash to the champ over social media and in interviews. During a recent appearance on DC & RC, Nunes admitted her upcoming opponent’s verbal bravery is new to her.

    “Honestly, just the talk. Nobody talk like Julianna. I’ve never fought nobody that talks like her. But honestly, don’t get me wrong, she’s tough, but she’s the only one who talks so much like that.”

    Despite that, Nunes suggested she’s always looking to finish her opponents and show her dominance in the Octagon, whether against silent and respectful foes or loud, trash-talking rivals.

    “Every time we step into the cage, we really think about finishing somebody. No matter if they talk or they be quiet. So with Julianna, it’s not different, you know. Every time that I step into the cage, I wanna really prove a point. I’m the better fighter here; I’m the best. With Julianna, I think it’s going to be the same. Any moment in this fight, I can finish her.”

    Nunes: Trash-Talking Opponents Like Peña Are My Favorite

    While she may boast a 25-fight professional career and has faced the likes of Shevchenko, Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Cris Cyborg, Peña appears to be bringing something unique to Nunes’ table ahead of UFC 269.

    Further discussing her next challenger in an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the bantamweight and featherweight queen admitted that trash-talking opponents are her “favorite” to face.

    “I do (enjoy trash talk)… She’s been doing very good with her mouth by the way you guys tell me. So, I feel like she’s doing the right thing. She have to do something really to get in the fight because she never was a contender. She opened her mouth and she got here. I don’t think she did anything wrong.

    “I love those opponents. For me, it’s my favorite opponents, exactly like Julianna Peña. So, that really brings me, like, the best of me. I like that. It’s not that I take anything personal. It’s just that she makes me feel better, you know.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJiVNRpr6X/

    Do you think Amanda Nunes will comfortably retain her bantamweight gold at UFC 269 this weekend?

  • Julianna Peña: “I Don’t Give An F” About Your Predictions

    As Julianna Peña prepares for her upcoming UFC title bout she isn’t listening to the haters.

    Julianna Peña has a date set for her first shot at the UFC bantamweight title. She will be taking on Amanda Nunes this weekend at the UFC 269 event. Peña has come a long way since she first got her start in the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter, but she believes that people are not giving her the credit she deserves.

    “Nobody is counting me in as far as winning the fight. Everybody’s against me. No one is rooting for me,” Peña told Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour. “And literally, the whole world, it feels like, is against me. And that’s just kind of the way that it’s always been for me. It’s like everybody has always counted me out. They counted me out on The Ultimate Fighter. They’ve counted me out my entire career. No one ever takes me seriously. They’re willing to lose, but they don’t want to lose to me. And I just think that you cannot let what these people say get to you.”

    Peña has a lot to be proud of so far in her MMA career. She was the first female to win The Ultimate Fighter and has gone on to have a great UFC career. She is the #1 contender in the bantamweight division and after taking some time off to give birth to her daughter, has risen back up to secure a fight against Nunes. Peña is outspoken and isn’t one to hold back her feelings. She isn’t taking any hate in from the media of fans in the lead-up to this fight.

    “If I paid attention to every negative thing that somebody said, I would have needed to jump out of a window a long time ago,” Peña explained. “You gotta have thick skin in this business. And what you think or what this person thinks or Joe Blow or this guy and that, it’s none of my business. I know what I can do. I know what I’m capable of doing. And what you think about me is none of my business. I don’t give an F what other people think. It’s what I know and what’s in my heart. And in my heart and what I know is: I’m a champion, and I’m gonna be a champion, and I am the champion.”

    Peña has a tough test ahead of her as she looks to dethrone Nunes. Nunes hasn’t lost a bout in seven years. She currently holds the belt in two divisions and has taken out some of the best female fighters in history, including Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, and Miesha Tate.

    Do you think Julianna Peña will have what it takes to defeat Amanda Nunes at UFC 269?

  • Amanda Nunes Wants The UFC To Freshen Up ‘Stale’ Division

    Amanda Nunes wants the UFC to shake things up.

    As the champion of both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, Amanda Nunes has a lot on her plate. She must defend both belts and keep both divisions moving along at a good pace. However, although both belts rest on her shoulders, there is only so much she can do to keep things exciting. Nunes wants the UFC to do something to allow for a more mixed bag of possible opponents.

    “I think we should go out of the mix.” Nunes told Esporte Espetacular. “Some girls have been fighting for a while now, they’re not even top 10 or top 5. They need to have their shots, too. I don’t pick opponents. If I have to fight Germaine, Holly, or anyone, I will, but I think the fans want something new. You have to mix things up. Make some girls face each other, bring some girls who are the bottom of the division, so it doesn’t look so stale like it is.”

    In Nunes’ last 12 bouts she is undefeated at both weight classes. Many of the ladies she has fought are still in the top five of the division and have been working their way back up to title shots. Nunes is calling for the UFC to create more exciting matchups and give the bantamweight division a shakeup. As for the featherweight division, there still aren’t many options or fighters available.

    “I’m always ready to give the fans what they want.” Nunes continued. “A knockout or a submission, a high-paced fight. I think the UFC should shake things up in the division. Look for new talent and maybe bring more girls from other promotions. That’s what we’re waiting for.”

    Nunes is the #1 pound-for-pound female fighter on the planet. At the pace she is going, it looks like she will remain there until she decides to hang up her gloves for good.

    In the meantime, she is using her position at the top and her influence to help get both divisions up and running and allow for more fighters to have the shots they deserve. Nunes will keep doing her job of knocking them down one by one when they do receive that title shot, up next will be Julianna Pena at UFC 269.

    Do you think Nunes will lose again in her tenure as UFC champ?

  • Julianna Peña Breaks Down What’s Made Amanda Nunes Successful

    UFC bantamweight contender Julianna Peña is planning to use the failures of Amanda Nunes’ past opponents to her advantage at UFC 269.

    Peña will meet Nunes for the bantamweight title in the UFC 269 co-main event on Dec. 11. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for Peña, who has long called for a title shot against Nunes.

    Peña presents one of the few remaining new challenges to Nunes, who has virtually cleared out both the bantamweight and featherweight title pictures.

    During a recent interview with ESPN, Peña explained how she’s preparing for Nunes by analyzing the mistakes of previous title challengers.

    “I think in the beginning, when Amanda started her title reign, I don’t think everyone was taking her quite as serious as maybe they should have,” Peña said. “They didn’t realize at what strength and at what power she was coming. And I think that kind of had a role in it as well as the whole Ronda Rousey-type of thing where you’re already defeated before you get in there with her and you lose in 30 seconds. So I think a combination of those two things is what has made her very successful.”

    “Either they’re already mentally defeated before or they weren’t taking her strength quite as serious when they had to face her,” Pena continued. “They didn’t take the intensity quite as serious.”

    Julianna Peña Finally Gets Her Shot Against Amanda Nunes

    Peña signed with the UFC after defeating Jessica Rakoczy for The Ultimate Fighter: Season 18 championship. She went on a three-fight winning streak which included dominant performances over former UFC title challengers such as Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano.

    Peña rebounded from a tough loss to Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Island 4 with a submission finish over Sara McMann at UFC 257. Ever since her win over McMann, Pena has been pleading for a shot at Nunes’ title and has gone on quite the tirade of media attacks against the 135-pound champion.

    Peña has previously accused Nunes of running from her and avoiding a fight against her to defend her bantamweight title. After all the talk, she’ll finally get her chance to potentially pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history at UFC 269.

    Do you agree with Julianna Peña’s comments?

  • Peña Says People Are “Sleeping On” Her Ahead Of Nunes Title Fight

    UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Peña believes people are unfairly writing her off ahead of her title fight with Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 this weekend.

    After COVID-19 saw her initial championship challenge postponed, Peña will finally fight for UFC gold for the first time in Las Vegas this Saturday. “The Venezuelan Vixen” will enter the pay-per-view co-main event having gone 2-2 in her last four outings.

    Defeats to Valentina Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie were split with a decision victory over inaugural flyweight champ Nicco Montaño. A third-round submission win against Sara McMann at UFC 257 in January was enough to secure Peña a date with the “Lioness.”

    Prior to her loss against the current 125-pound queen, Peña defeated the likes of Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano on her way to a perfect 4-0 start on MMA’s biggest stage. The Ultimate Fighter 18 winner will be looking to add the name of Nunes to an already impressive résumé on December 11.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXIJPMiuOdu/

    A victory will certainly be no easy task. Nunes is the consensus Female GOAT and holds both the bantamweight and featherweight titles. Since a 2014 defeat to Zingano, the Brazilian has won 12 straight contests, defended her titles seven times, and beaten names like Shevchenko, Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and Raquel Pennington.

    With that in mind, it’s unsurprising not many are giving Peña a chance at having her hand raised at UFC 269. But in an interview with TMZ Sports, the number one contender suggested fans and pundits are wrongly “sleeping” on her, and admitted she’s relishing the underdog status.

    “I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on me, and they think that I’m a sacrificial lamb. But I definitely think that, you know, I know I’m definitely not a sacrificial lamb, and everybody loves an underdog. So, I’m just ready to get out there and bring something better to the table.”

    While many expect another easy ride for Nunes, former two-division title challenger Chael Sonnen shared a similar view as Peña. Although he didn’t predict an upset victory, he did suggest the 32-year-old is a lot more likely to do it than any of the champ’s previous challengers.

    Peña Has ‘Never Felt More Prepared’

    Julianna Pena
    Image Credit: Esther Lin of MMAFighting.com

    In her last two defenses, Nunes successfully retained her 145-pound gold with triumphs over Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson, the latter of which came via a destructive first-round armbar at UFC 259 in March.

    It’s no secret that to have any hope of dethroning Nunes, Peña will have to be at the top of her game and hope that the two-division titleholder isn’t at the top of hers. According to the Washington native, she’s done everything she can ahead of the final pay-per-view of the year.

    “I am ready. I am in the zone. I have never felt more physically or mentally prepared in my life and it’s my time. It just feels so great to know that I have literally left no stone unturned. I’m ready to go. I’m in the zone… I am more ready than I’ve ever been in my life.”

    Whether her preparation will be enough remains to be seen, but Peña certainly has an aura of confidence that not many have seemed to have prior to facing Nunes. That could, of course, be shut down with another dominant performance from the Brazilian, but anything can happen in MMA…

    Do you think Julianna Peña has what it takes to dethrone Amanda Nunes?

  • The Countdown To UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier Officially Begins

    The Countdown to UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier has officially begun.

    For the last time in 2021, it’s fight week, fight fans! This year’s lineup of pay-per-view fights culminates with the lightweight title bout many believe should have happened back in May to crown the new champion. That fight will now take place Saturday when reigning lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier in the UFC 269 main event.

    And in the co-main event, the consensus GOAT of women’s mixed martial arts, Amanda Nunes, defends her bantamweight title against Julianna Peña.

    The UFC’s countdown video sets the stage for both title fights.

    UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier: Countdown

    “If this thing gets gritty, if this thing gets bloody, and exhausting, drag ‘em out type of fight–that’s where I’m gonna shine.” – Dustin Poirier

    Dustin Poirier
    Dustin Poirier (Image Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Dustin Poirier has closed out his rivalry with Conor McGregor, at least for the time being, and all that’s left to do now is realize his dream of being the undisputed UFC champion. Dustin Poirier embodies the grind, and in the Countdown video, we are reminded of the dues that have been fully paid to arrive at this opportunity.

    “No matter who is on the other side, they will fold and fall.” – Charles Oliveira

    Charles Oliveira
    Credit: Jason Da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

    Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira has proven year after year that he is the definition of “kill or be killed.” In the Countdown video, the UFC chronicles the finishing ability of Oliveira, including the TKO that crowned him as the UFC’s lightweight champion and an immortalized Brazilian hero.

    “I’m the one fight that she doesn’t want because she knows that it’s gonna be a long night.” – Julianna Peña

    Julianna Peña
    Photo via Instagram @venezuelanvixen

    By now, the MMA world should be well aware of how badly Julianna Peña has wanted this fight. In case you forgot, the Countdown video reminds you of that. It also reminds viewers of something that may be lost in all the trash talk: the fact that Peña is a hardened OG of the bantamweight division who can become the first woman to go from Ultimate Fighter to Undisputed Champion.

    “I just need one mistake from her. From that moment, I’m gonna capitalize and finish the fight.” – Amanda Nunes

    Amanda Nunes
    Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Amanda Nunes has made one thing clear since her rise to the top of women’s MMA: place anybody in front of her, and the outcome will remain the same. That, of course, would be Nunes having her hand raised. In the Countdown video, Nunes also shares a specific weakness she sees in Peña’s game. Meanwhile, the champ says she is continuing to evolve and get better every single day.

    UFC 269 takes place this Saturday, December 11, 2021, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card for the event also includes appearances by former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and rising star “Sugar” Sean O’Malley. The entire card is absolutely stacked from top to bottom. You can view the full UFC 269 lineup as well as all the viewing information here.

    And without further ado, you can check out the full episode of UFC Countdown: Oliveira vs. Poirier below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0G2dJDch0s

  • Julianna Peña Predicts “Very Long Night” In UFC 269 War

    Julianna Peña says Amanda Nunes shouldn’t be expecting another comfortable first-round win when they meet in the Octagon.

    After defending her featherweight gold at UFC 250 and 259, Nunes will be returning to 135 pounds this Saturday when Peña becomes the latest challenger to the dominant two-division reign of the “Lioness.” Despite going 2-2 in her last four bouts, which includes defeats to Valentina Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie, Peña secured a title shot after an exchange with the Brazilian on social media following the champ’s last fight.

    The #3-ranked women’s bantamweight was last in action at UFC 257. A third-round submission victory over Sara McMann brought her back into the win column and was ultimately enough for her to earn a championship opportunity.

    UFC on Twitter: "The UFC BW title is back on the books for December ? ? @Amanda_Leoa and @VenezuelanVixen are set to square off at #UFC269. https://t.co/ANSTPeqyYX" / Twitter

    While many have suggested Nunes is set for another short night at the office, similar to her two-minute submission victory over Megan Anderson last time out, Peña sees the fight playing out very differently.

    While speaking with Jim Varsallone, “The Venezuelan Vixen” suggested her fight with Nunes will go long and be competitive. The 31-year-old went on to add that she’s preparing for a war against the most dominant woman in MMA history.

    “You can predict everything. You can predict the sky’s gonna be pink tomorrow. But at the end of the day, you’re not gonna know until you make it to that point. And when it’s all said and done, then, you’ll be able to say oh, this, this, and look like Nostradamus.

    Julianna Peña
    Photo via Instagram @venezuelanvixen

    “But at the end of the day, I’m not guaranteeing anything other than she is not gonna be in some fight where it’s gonna go a minute and it’s gonna be this gigantic blowout. Absolutely not. It’s going to be a very long night for both of us, and I’m expecting a long, tough, grueling fight. And that’s what I’m preparing for. I’m preparing for war,” said Peña.

    Nunes’ latest title defense won’t be the only championship fight on the UFC 269 card. Her clash with Peña will be followed by a lightweight championship clash between Charles Oliveira (c) and Dustin Poirier in the PPV’s main event.

    Do you think Julianna Peña has what it takes to dethrone Amanda Nunes at UFC 269?

  • Kayla Harrison Tabs Cris Cyborg, Not Amanda Nunes, As FW GOAT

    Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison thinks Cris “Cyborg” Justino is the greatest women’s featherweight, and not her teammate Amanda Nunes.

    Harrison has been linked to potential future matchups against both Justino and Nunes, most recently appearing at a Bellator event to watch Justino knock out Sinead Kavanagh. She’s teammates with Nunes down at the famous American Top Team gym in south Florida.

    Harrison is a free agent and was recently asked to give her thoughts on Bellator and claimed that Justino is the greatest women’s featherweight of all time.

    “I’ve heard nothing but good things (about Bellator).” Harrison said in a recent interview on the ‘Weighing In‘ podcast. “I don’t think I’ve heard a fighter go to Bellator from another promotion and complain. That’s across the board from Austin (Vanderford) to Johnny (Eblen), to Kyoji (Horiguchi). Everybody seems happy there.”

    “They also happen to have one of the greatest female featherweights,” Harrison continued. “I think [Justino’s] the greatest featherweight of all time. One of the greatest fighters of all time.”

    Kayla Harrison Is Currently A Free Agent

    It’s unclear what could be next for Harrison in her MMA career. After winning the PFL lightweight championship over Taylor Guardado earlier this year, she’s on the free-agent market for the first time. Harrison has expressed interest in signing with the UFC, Bellator, and even re-signing with the PFL.

    Fans have long clamored for a potential matchup between Nunes and Harrison. UFC featherweight contender Felicia Spencer also went out of her way to say that Harrison is “definitely a threat” in the featherweight division if she chooses to sign with the promotion.

    Nunes is slated to face Julianna Peña at UFC 269 next weekend and could have virtually cleaned out both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. She could potentially be on a collision course with her teammate Harrison if the UFC comes to terms with the reigning PFL champ.

    Do you agree with Kayla Harrison?

  • Amanda Nunes/Kayla Harrison Potential Fight Has Major Barrier

    MMA fans have discussed a rhetorical matchup between American Top Team teammates Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison for months.

    Nunes and Harrison have skyrocketed to the top of women’s MMA, especially over the past year. Harrison is undefeated in her young MMA career as the multiple-time PFL lightweight champion while Nunes currently holds UFC belts at featherweight and bantamweight.

    Nunes has cleared out most of the top contenders in both of her divisions while Harrison has looked virtually unstoppable in many eyes in the PFL. Fans have drooled and debated a potential future matchup between Nunes and Harrison in the UFC and how it could play out.

    Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison

    However, a major obstacle is in the way of making that happen. ATT gym owner Dan Lambert isn’t keen on a matchup between Nunes and Harrison and is extremely uncomfortable with the discussion.

    During a recent interview on The MMA Hour, Lambert explained why a Nunes vs. Harrison fight isn’t on his ‘to-do list’.

    “I’d do everything I could to avoid it,” Lambert said. “I don’t like when our people fight. Usually, when you go into a fight you’ve got at least a 50-50 of leaving happy or sad. Put two of our people against each other, especially in such a high-stakes fight, you’ve got a 100 percent chance of leaving feeling pretty bad for somebody.”

    “But hey, sometimes sh*t happens,” Lambert continued. “If it were to happen, we’d separate the training, pick out training partners and coaches that would help each and may the best man or woman win.”

    Harrison is officially a free agent after fulfilling her PFL contract. She defeated Taylor Guardado for the PFL lightweight championship last week and is currently pondering her options for the next chapter of her career.

    Nunes is scheduled to face former The Ultimate Fighter winner Julianna Peña at UFC 269. She has won 12 fights in a row and has demolished top featherweight and bantamweight title contenders during her reigns.

    Nunes and Harrison haven’t exactly shied away from a potential matchup in the future between the two teammates. Just last year, Harrison alluded to chasing Nunes as the greatest female MMA fighter in the sport.

    Harrison and Nunes remain two of the biggest names in MMA, regardless of gender. While a matchup between the two ATT stars isn’t completely off the table, it faces some obstacles in the form of Lambert and the ATT leadership.

    Do you think we’ll ever see an Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison super fight?

  • Cris Cyborg Says She’s Grateful For Amanda Nunes Loss

    Cris Cyborg is grateful for the last fight she had in the UFC.

    Cris Cyborg is doing great things in Bellator. She is the reigning champ and is putting on amazing performances. For those who might think leaving the UFC was a bad idea, Cyborg disagrees. She has been reflecting back on her time with the UFC lately and seems to be happy with the direction her career has taken.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Cyborg spoke about a few topics relating to her time with the UFC. Although she recently explained that she never really felt accepted there she felt blessed by the chance she had.

    Cyborg’s last fight in the organization was a loss to Amanda Nunes where she lost the featherweight belt. Looking at that fight it could be seen as a blemish on her record, but Cyborg sees it differently.

    “Everybody says, ‘Oh Cris, but the Amanda Nunes fight,’ and whatever. In fact, I’m not upset with that fight,” Cyborg said. “That fight happened the way it had to. After that fight happened, it opened a door for other things. I believe I would have stayed in the UFC if I had won that fight, or maybe I’d leave, maybe something would change, but I wouldn’t have what I have right now, and I really think I left [the UFC] to be blessed. I’m very happy.”

    Since joining Bellator, Cyborg has won the belt and defended it three times. She is on a roll and looks to stay on top for a while. Her last win was a few weeks ago over Sinead Kavanagh in Florida. She might have her next test set ahead of her already as she has accepted a call out from fellow former UFC fighter Cat Zingano. As for Nunes, she has is still holding the UFC featherweight belt.

    Do you think Cris Cyborg will ever face Amanda Nunes again?