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Julianna Peña eyes Madison Square Garden return in vacant UFC title fight amid links to Erin Blanchfield clash

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena outlines a time frame for her comeback following a rib injury. It seems that we have seen the last of Amana Nunes’ inside the Octagon following her retirement earlier this month at UFC 289. This also means that her 135lb title is set to be vacant will be up […]

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena outlines a time frame for her comeback following a rib injury.

It seems that we have seen the last of Amana Nunes’ inside the Octagon following her retirement earlier this month at UFC 289. This also means that her 135lb title is set to be vacant will be up for grabs.

Pena, who ended Nunes’ 12-fight unbeaten streak before being comfortably beaten in a rematch, has put herself in prime position. ‘The Venezuelan Vixon’ was originally set to be Nunes’ opponent a couple weeks ago, but had to withdraw due to injury, but was cage side for the event to hopefully drum up some attention for their trilogy fight.

Instead, Pena was hit with Nunes’ retirement and during ‘The Lioness’ speech, would heckle and boo. The clip of her doing so has since made the rounds within the MMA community.

Julianna Pena outlines return

Talking on The MMA Hour, Pena detailed the timeframe of her recovering from the rib injury, aiming to return for late 2023 where she will be one half

“Today is six weeks (since the injury). In order for it to heal, like, for me to grapple or do jiu-jitsu, they say eight weeks,” Peña said. “Look at it this way, if it’s six weeks and I start going and training right now and I pop it out again, that’s gonna be another six weeks’ time to let it heal. The important thing with rib injuries is you have to give it that time to heal. If you don’t, then it’s just always going to be a recurring injury that happens every time.” (H/T MMANews)

“Absolutely, (targeting a return tail end of 2023),” Pena continued. “Madison Square Garden, T-Mobile Arena; something in November, December, I’m sure.”

Julianna Pena on The MMA Hour

Who should Julianna Pena face for the vacant title?

Report – Erin Blanchfield offers to fight Julianna Peña for vacant bantamweight title following UFC 289

Julianna Pena seems to be next in line after the greatest female UFC fighter of all time retired at UFC 289. The path to the throne has opened up tremendously for people, and it is now rumored that Pena could be facing a fighter who, if victorious, would become the youngest female champion in UFC […]

Amanda Nunes cruised to a seemingly easy decision victory over Irene Aldana at UFC 289. The legendary Brazilian fighter was just too much for the young Mexican contender. Nunes dominated Aldana in all aspects of the fight and exacted her will whenever she pleased. Aldana did land a few good shots, and even got back to her feet with relative ease early into the fight, but ‘The Lionness’ was just too much for her.

Nunes retired after scoring the decision victory, and the legacy she’s leaving behind on the sport will surely be remembered forever. There’s no doubt that she is the greatest female fighter to ever live, but, she’s leaving the UFC behind in a questionable position.

As of now, there are no clear contenders to contest her vacated throne besides Julianna Pena, who defeated Nunes at UFC 269 in what was one of the most surprising upsets of all time. ‘The Lionness’ would snatch back the throne at UFC 277, and the trilogy fight between the two was actually supposed to go down at UFC 289. However, due to broken ribs suffered in training camp, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ was forced to pull out and Irene Aldana took her place.

Julianna Pena and Erin Blacnhfield for the vacant women’s bantamweight title?

As reported by MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter on Twitter, the young Erin Blanchfield has now “thrown her hat in” for the opportunity to fight for the now-vacant UFC bantamweight title against Julianna Pena.

“One candidate throwing her name in the hat for the vacant bantamweight title is Erin Blanchfield,” Bronsteter said on Twitter. “…With a Grasso/Valentina bout expected to be next at flyweight, she is interested in facing Pena for the vacant title and becoming the youngest female UFC champion ever.”

One candidate throwing her name in the hat for the vacant bantamweight title is Erin Blanchfield, I'm told.

With a Grasso/Valentina bout expected to be next at flyweight, she is interested in facing Pena for the vacant title and becoming the youngest female UFC champion ever.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 11, 2023

A young and hungry UFC superstar, ‘Cold Blooded’ Erin Blanchfield shows incredible promise. At 11-1, she’s shown she will not be defeated easily in her pursuit for UFC gold. What’s more impressive is where Blanchfield accrued these wins at. All of her professional fights come from either Invicta FC (the premier feeder organization for all the top female UFC talent) or the UFC itself. She’s actually 5-0 inside the UFC octagon, with wins over superb opponents such as the dangerous veteran Jessica Andrade and the exciting and hard-hitting Molly McCann.

As far as if Blanchfield will get her desire to battle for the UFC gold, that remains to be seen. However, the UFC has historically shown they love making history, and, “Youngest female champion in UFC history” does have quite a ring to it.

Who do you want to fight Julianna Pena for the vacant women’s bantamweight title?

Valentina Shevchenko unimpressed by Erin Blanchfield’s submission of Jessica Andrade

Valentina Shevchenko isn’t concerning herself with the potential threat that Erin Blanchfield presents just yet. On February, 18, Blanchfield scored the biggest win of her UFC career, besting former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade via submission in their Fight Night main event. The win thrust ‘Cold Blooded’ into the No. 3 spot in the flyweight […]

Valentina Shevchenko isn’t concerning herself with the potential threat that Erin Blanchfield presents just yet.

On February, 18, Blanchfield scored the biggest win of her UFC career, besting former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade via submission in their Fight Night main event. The win thrust ‘Cold Blooded’ into the No. 3 spot in the flyweight rankings and could put her one win away from a UFC title opportunity. Extending her undefeated run to 5-0 inside the Octagon, Blanchfield has looked increasingly impressive, earning submissions in her last three bouts.

Looking to seize the moment after her impressive showing against Andrade, Blanchfield called out the reigning UFC flyweight titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko. Sharing her thoughts on Blanchfield’s recent rise up the rankings and subsequent callout, Shevchenko was little more than amused, suggesting ‘Cold Blooded’ has a long way to go before she can start lobbying for a title opportunity.

“It’s fun to see these young athletes speak out,” says Valentina Shevchenko, responding to Blanchfield’s callout. “She has five fights experience [in the UFC]. That’s nothing. That’s not traveling to other countries or competing against their best. I remember Maycee Barber, she said something similar about beating everyone and becoming champion. But once a person deals with struggles, it can either break them or build their confidence. Let’s not forget that Jéssica took the fight on one week’s notice. She beat her, but was that Jéssica’s best? Doubtful.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)

Valentina Shevchenko is Focused on Self Improvement and Her Next Challenger

Shevchenko continued, “I have no time for anything else but training and hard sparring. I’m celebrating 30 years as a martial artist. I have a true dedication to the art. When I am true to martial arts, I am true to myself… I’m a complete martial artist. I don’t rely on one technique. I have high expectations and I cannot disappoint myself. But it all starts with me controlling my own thoughts. I always remain strong, and I am always pushing myself to be better. There are still a lot of ways for me to be better.”

Currently, Valentina Shevchenko is focused on her title defense this Saturday night against Alexa Grasso. The pair co-headline UFC 285 which will feature the highly anticipated return of light heavyweight GOAT Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.

Defeating Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018 to capture the flyweight championship, Valentina Shevchenko has successfully defended her crown seven times. Looking to keep her from adding an eighth successful defense to her resume will be streaking contender Alexa Grasso. Fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico, Grasso earned her spot in Saturday’s co-main event earning four-straight wins against Ji Yeon Kim, Maycee Barber, Joanne Wood, and Viviane Araujo.

Valentina Shevchenko on Erin Blanchfield: “I think for the title fight, she’s still green.”

UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t think Erin Blanchfield is ready for a title shot. During an interview on The MMA Hour, Shevchenko spoke about the young contender. The “Bullet” doesn’t believe the 23-year-old is ready for a big title fight. “Yeah, I heard Erin [Blanchfield]..talk about [a] title fight right away, right next but […]

UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t think Erin Blanchfield is ready for a title shot.

During an interview on The MMA Hour, Shevchenko spoke about the young contender. The “Bullet” doesn’t believe the 23-year-old is ready for a big title fight.

“Yeah, I heard Erin [Blanchfield]..talk about [a] title fight right away, right next but I think for the title fight, she’s still green.”

Blanchfield is confident she can beat Shevchenko. She’s been vocal about how she believes her jiu-jitsu is better than the long-time champion. After her recent submission win against Jéssica Andrade at UFC Vegas 69, Blanchfield called for a fight against the winner of Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso at UFC 285.

Valentina Shevchenko Disputes Erin Blanchfield’s Claims

The 125-pound women’s champion responded to Blanchfield by saying the young fighter doesn’t have enough experience to back up her confidence.

“It’s so funny to see these young fighters talk this confidently and it’s happened before and it’s happening right now,” Shevchenko said. “It will take time before she kind of grows up a little bit but for now, still barking and jumping around.”

Shevchenko is scheduled to defend her UFC flyweight title against Grasso this weekend at UFC 285. It’ll be her seventh defense since winning the title in December 2018.

Valentina Shevchenko Reacts After Having Grappling Branded “Basic” By Erin Blanchfield

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko has responded after having her grappling skills branded “very basic” by surging contender Erin Blanchfield. This weekend, Shevchenko will look to successfully defend her title for the eighth time. Having got past perhaps the stiffest test of her reign to date in the form of Taila Santos last year,…

Continue Reading Valentina Shevchenko Reacts After Having Grappling Branded “Basic” By Erin Blanchfield at MMA News.

Exclusive | Erin Blanchfield backs Valentina Shevchenko to ‘impose her will’ on Alexa Grasso at UFC 285

Erin Blanchfield has backed Valentina Shevchenko to defend her Flyweight title against Alexa Grasso on account of her well-rounded skillset. At UFC 285, Valentina Shevchenko will once again defend her Flyweight title and attempt to continue her legendary winning streak at 125lbs. Standing across from her will be Alexa Grasso, who is riding a four-fight […]

Erin Blanchfield has backed Valentina Shevchenko to defend her Flyweight title against Alexa Grasso on account of her well-rounded skillset.

At UFC 285, Valentina Shevchenko will once again defend her Flyweight title and attempt to continue her legendary winning streak at 125lbs. Standing across from her will be Alexa Grasso, who is riding a four-fight win streak of her own. The fight is coming on the heels of Shevchenko’s most competitive title fight to date, against Talia Santos, which had many believing that there was a chink in Shevchenko’s armor.

However, the number three ranked flyweight in the UFC, Erin Blanchfield doesn’t see her losing just yet. Blanchfield recently spoke with James Lynch in a Lowkick MMA exclusive and talked about many things including her official breakdown and prediction of the upcoming Flyweight title fight.

“I definitely see Valentina winning,” Erin Blanchfield said. “I think Alexa Grasso is a talented fighter in her own right and I think she could give Valentina a little bit of a run but I think Valentina is just a little more well-rounded overall like her striking game and her ground game and her wrestling. I think she’ll be able to impose her will onto Alexa.”

Erin Blanchfield is confident she can expose Valentina Shevchenko’s weaknesses if they match-up

Currently undefeated in the UFC, Erin Blanchfield has looked better and better with each consecutive fight. Most recently, she submitted the ever-dangerous, Jessica Andrade in the second round and earned herself a performance of the night bonus, along with getting her name in the title picture.

Her wrestling-heavy attack seems to match up well with Valentina Shevchenko, who struggled in the grappling department against Talia Santos. Blanchfield believes that her strengths happen to be Shevchenko’s weaknesses, and is confident in her own abilities if the two were to match up later this year.

“She’s a great muay thai fighter, I mean she’s well-rounded fighter in her own right but I know I’m well-rounded as well and I feel like the parts of her game that she’s weaker, I’m stronger and I know I’ll be able to expose that.”

But first, Alexa Grasso will get a shot at upsetting the Flyweight champion at UFC 285. After which, the division is wide open, which could allow Erin Blanchfield to get her hands on the UFC title.