Amanda Nunes regained her champ-champ status last night (Sat., July 30, 2022) at UFC 277 live on ESPN+ (PPV)/ABC/ESPN from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tex., when “Lioness” outlasted Julianna Pena to capture a unanimous decision win and walk away with the women’s bantamweight title.
Nunes was switching stances early as she tried to attack from range. “Lioness” mixed in some nasty leg kicks along the way, but Pena was right in front of her willing to exchange. Nunes took advantage and temporarily dropped the champion twice with short counter punches. Pena shook it off and started to land with her jab.
Nunes went bonkers in the second round as she caught Pena twice with a counter right hand that knocked the champion down on each occasion. “Lioness” scored another knockdown late into the second with a stiff left. Pena responded in the third with a few solid flurries on the feet, but Nunes landed a timely takedown and scored some valuable time and elbows in top control.
Nunes opened up the fourth round with another strong takedown. “Lioness” was playing it too cool in top control and it allowed Pena to nearly sink in a fight-ending armbar attempt. Nunes broke free and blasted the champion with slicing elbows to bloody her up even more. In the fifth and final round, Nunes went back to her wrestling on multiple occasions. Pena continued to threaten with submissions off her back, but she wasn’t able to catch Nunes off guard. “Lioness” would go on to walk away with the decision.
Check out the full fight video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Ready for
[ @Amanda_Leoa | #UFC277 ] pic.twitter.com/FgI3EbAP2E
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2022
The champ is coming to silence the doubters
[ @VenezuelanVixen | #UFC277 ] pic.twitter.com/ENPye7VKDS
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2022
Julianna Peña embraces her daughter, Issa, before her title defense at #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/dA4Ob3tpxx
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
NUNES STUNS AND DROPS PEÑA IN THE SECOND ROUND
STREAM #UFC277 NOW ON @ESPNPLUS ?? https://t.co/0GQpkhwBKG pic.twitter.com/yqlLhPaLrD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 31, 2022
Violence. #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/5EhVlcbchc
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 31, 2022
PEÑA ALMOST SUBMITTED NUNES AGAIN
STREAM #UFC277 NOW ?? https://t.co/5oH8a9OAr7 pic.twitter.com/Ys6KG1TmQa
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
To the fifth & final round we go!!!
[ #UFC277 | Main Card LIVE on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/U0Pbshxhuo ] pic.twitter.com/P0KEJcRhqr
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2022
We head into the championship round
STREAM #UFC277 NOW ?? https://t.co/0GQpkhwBKG pic.twitter.com/JKB9RpBZh0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 31, 2022
Amanda Nunes had a feeling she won and started dancing at #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/wlARx1kjfl
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 31, 2022
Warriors #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/qVeuq3aWq5
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2022
The champ is back.
And she wants a beer
@UFC | @Amanda_Leoa pic.twitter.com/BzhLQGZXAY
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 31, 2022
The Lioness leaves the Octagon with two belts over her shoulders once again #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/6rsZEqw1kf
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
Queen of the jungle once again #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/bLuxwWSiof
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 31, 2022
For complete UFC 277 results and coverage click here.