Tag: Julianna Pena

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

Erin Blanchfield offers to fight Julianna Peña for vacant bantamweight title UFC 289Julianna 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 […]

Erin Blanchfield offers to fight Julianna Peña for vacant bantamweight title 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 history.

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.”

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?

Julianna Peña Calls Out Amanda Nunes for UFC Retirement: ‘Wtf Was That?’

Julianna Peña is not happy about Amanda Nunes’ retirement. Immediately after Nunes laid her gloves in the Octagon after her win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289…

Julianna Peña is not happy about Amanda Nunes’ retirement. Immediately after Nunes laid her gloves in the Octagon after her win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289…

Julianna Pena takes credit for scaring Amanda Nunes into retirement: ‘WTF was that?’

Julianna PenaIt didn’t take long for Julianna Pena to comment on the retirement of Amanda Nunes. ‘The Lioness’ headlined Saturday’s UFC 289 pay-per-view in the Great White North, handily defeating bantamweight title challenger Irene Aldana over the course of 25 minutes. Following the matchup, Nunes laid down her two world title belts alongside her gloves and […]

Julianna Pena

It didn’t take long for Julianna Pena to comment on the retirement of Amanda Nunes.

‘The Lioness’ headlined Saturday’s UFC 289 pay-per-view in the Great White North, handily defeating bantamweight title challenger Irene Aldana over the course of 25 minutes. Following the matchup, Nunes laid down her two world title belts alongside her gloves and announced that she is officially retiring from mixed martial arts. Her announcement immediately got the attention of two-time Nunes opponent, Julianna Pena.

The ‘Venezuelan Vixen’ was originally tipped to be Nunes’ challenger at UFC 289, but an injury sustained while training forced her to withdraw. Upon realizing that she will never get the chance to complete her trilogy with Nunes, Pena took to Twitter and suggested that Nunes was running off into the sunset before having to step inside the Octagon with her one more time.

“I scared you so bad into retirement,” Pena tweeted. “Personally, Congratulations. Professionally, wtf was that? #UFC289”

Is Julianna Pena vs. Raquel Pennington the Fight to Make?

Amanda Nunes ends her illustrious career going 16-2 inside the Octagon, her only losses coming against Cat Zingano in 2014 and the aforementioned Julianna Pena at UFC 269 in January 2021. Seven months later, ‘The Lioness’ reclaimed her bantamweight title from Pena, setting the stage for a trilogy bout that will never come to fruition.

With the women’s bantamweight world title now vacated, it opens the door for Julianna Pena to slide right in and challenge for the title against a new opponent. Who that will be is yet to be determined, but the likeliest scenario would see Raquel Pennington step in to fight for the vacant championship. Pennington served as the official backup for UFC 289’s main event between Nunes and Aldana.

Julianna Pena takes shot at Amanda Nunes: ‘She’s probably thankful for me making her relevant again’

julianna penaFormer UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena continues war of words with former foe Amanda Nunes. In December of 2021, Pena scored the biggest win of her career when she shocked the world, submitting Nunes in the second round of the co-main event of UFC 269. It marked Nunes’ first loss since 2014, ending a 12-fight […]

julianna pena

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena continues war of words with former foe Amanda Nunes.

In December of 2021, Pena scored the biggest win of her career when she shocked the world, submitting Nunes in the second round of the co-main event of UFC 269. It marked Nunes’ first loss since 2014, ending a 12-fight winning streak. An instant rematch was called, which Nunes would dominate over the scheduled five round, winning a unanimous decision.

With it being one a piece, a trilogy match was called for the headlining fight for UFC 289, but Pena had to withdraw from the contest due to injury.

Julianna Pena calls out Amanda Nunes

While it has not been anything malicious, the pair have exchanged words with one another and there certainly seems to be tension between them. Talking to Shak MMA, Pena would continue the war of words between them.

“Everybody always has that one person that’s just stuck in their butt and that’s me for Amanda,” Pena said. “I know that she knows that. I think at the end of the day she’s probably really thankful for me making her relevant again when I beat her because no one really cared about Amanda Nunes because she was just stomping everybody out and knocking them out in the first round.

“So, I think that they were excited to see somebody come in and stop her dead in her tracks with dominance and I think they were excited to see the savagery and the heart that I had. The determination to never give up in the second fight and unfortunately for me, I ran out of time.” (H/ T MMA Mania)

Julianna Pena talks with Shak MMA, discusses former opponent Amanda Nunes

Do you want to see a third fight between Julianna Pena?

Amanda Nunes reveals she almost retired after UFC championship loss in 2021: ‘I think I’m done’

Amanda Nunes admits she almost retired after loss to Julianna Pena I think I'm done UFCUndisputed two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes has admitted that she contemplated retiring from mixed martial arts competition following her stunning upset submission loss to Julianna Peña back in December 2021, initially telling her former coach, Din Thomas that she was “done” with the sport whilst still in the Octagon. Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight […]

Amanda Nunes admits she almost retired after loss to Julianna Pena I think I'm done UFC

Undisputed two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes has admitted that she contemplated retiring from mixed martial arts competition following her stunning upset submission loss to Julianna Peña back in December 2021, initially telling her former coach, Din Thomas that she was “done” with the sport whilst still in the Octagon.

Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently recaptured bantamweight spoils against Peña in July of last year at UFC 277, turning in a dominant unanimous decision victory in the pair’s championship rematch.

However, prior to that, Nunes had co-headlined UFC 269 the December prior in a bantamweight title fight against Peña, turning in a dominant opening round performance, before dropping her title in arguably the biggest upset loss in the history of the organization.

Initially slated to headline UFC 289 next month against Peña in the pair’s trilogy rubber match, fractured ribs have ruled the former champion from contention, with Nunes instead drawing Irene Aldana in a title fight in British Columbia in the promotion’s return to Canadian soil.

Amanda Nunes reflects on debilitating loss to Julianna Peña

However, reflecting on her shocking submission defeat at the hands of The Ultimate Fighter victor, Peña, Nunes admitted that she had seriously contemplated retiring from the sport.

“You know, I was very confused,” Amanda Nunes told ESPN during a recent interview. “Losing my belt was crazy, but at the same time, I always said something was wrong. I saw Din [Thomas] right in the arena, and I give him a hug. I looked at him and said, ‘I think I’m done.’ We looked at each other and he [said], ‘Are you sure?’”

“I drove back home, was putting my thoughts together… I was sad for a couple moments in the camp, and when I put everything together, and me and Nina (Nunes) talked,” Amanda Nunes explained. “I was like, ‘I can not leave my belt with Julianna (Peña). It can be someone else but her.’ She did’t deserve that belt. She didn’t do anything to really deserve [and] hold that belt.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Last competing at the featherweight limit back in March 2021, Nunes turned in a dominant opening round submission win over Megan Anderson, submitting the Gold Coast native with a first round triangle armbar stoppage at the UFC Apex facility. 

Julianna Peña eyes Nunes – Aldana title fight following UFC 289: ‘I look forward to fighting the winner’

Julianna Peña eyes title fight with Amanda Nunes or Irene Aldana in return from injury UFC 289Julianna Peña has addressed her withdrawal from this summer’s UFC 289 pay-per-view headliner with two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, confirming her plans to return in a bantamweight title fight against either the Brazilian, or new challenger, Irene Aldana. Peña, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender and former undisputed bantamweight champion, was scheduled to headline UFC 289 […]

Julianna Peña eyes title fight with Amanda Nunes or Irene Aldana in return from injury UFC 289

Julianna Peña has addressed her withdrawal from this summer’s UFC 289 pay-per-view headliner with two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, confirming her plans to return in a bantamweight title fight against either the Brazilian, or new challenger, Irene Aldana.

Peña, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender and former undisputed bantamweight champion, was scheduled to headline UFC 289 on June 10. from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, however, withdraw from the clash with Nunes after suffering fractured ribs ahead of the bout.

As a result, Bahia native, Nunes has since booked a headlining fight against surging Mexican striker, Aldana – with the matchup taking main event honors at the UFC 289 flagship event in Canada.

Releasing a statement in the wake of her withdrawal and rib injury, Peña confirmed her intentions to fight either Nunes or Aldana for gold following UFC 289 this summer.

Julianna Peña eyes title fight in return from injury later this year

“Hi. Wanted to give it a few days before I addressed the situation,” Julianna Peña posted on Instagram. “I am out of my fight in Vancouver for UFC 289. I am absolutely gutted. You guys only see us preform on one night but I wish you guys could see the other side of what fighters have to go through on a daily basis. A fighter’s life is not an easy road but it’s one that lights my soul on fire. It’s my passion and I do it everyday with my whole heart. I give my everything every time I step into the Octagon and I wanted nothing more than to make this fight possible.”

“Going into a fight, you’re never 100 percent but in this case, the doctors intervened and I was forced to withdraw,” Julianna Peña continued. “I train so hard and as you can see from my pictures I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into this camp to show you guys how obsessed I am at improving myself. Unfortunately, it’s going to have to wait, I trust in God’s plan and have faith everything will work out for the best.”

“I give my sincerest apologies to UFC and Amanda Nunes. Wishing both Irene Aldana and Amanda Nunes a great fight, looking forward to fighting the winner to regain my belt! Oss.”