Julianna Peña won big at UFC 269, but many people lost big on their bets because of her.
Julianna Peña is now the undisputed bantamweight champion. After winning the belt at UFC 269 with a submission victory over Amanda Nunes, Peña made history. M…
Julianna Peña won big at UFC 269, but many people lost big on their bets because of her.
With big upsets come big betting losses and wins. Peña has some words of wisdom for the people who bet on Nunes to win, especially a person who lost $300,000 according to Yahoo Sports.
“Sorry that that man lost so much money,” Peña said. “He should’ve bet on me. He should’ve took that $20,000 and made $2 million because I heard somebody else made that amount.”
Coming into the bout at UFC 269, people were seriously doubting Peña. Perhaps this is because she was 2-2 in her last four fights. But the new champion has her own theory on why people may have bet against her.
“I think probably the biggest thing is that I haven’t had these types of fights where you hit one punch and knock somebody out unconscious. So I think that my fights have kind of been grinding type of uglier fights that sometimes go the distance, sometimes end my way. Either way, it’s either kill or be killed. And you know that I’m gonna either kill or be killed in there.
“And so I definitely think that they probably just haven’t seen a ton of highlights of me just one-KO punching people and that’s probably why they weren’t really on my side at all.”
Amanda Nunes has finally fired back at Julianna Pena who claimed she was the first true mom champion in UFC history after beating ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 earlier this month. Pena gave birth to her daughter whereas Nunes did not. The former dual-weight champion allowed her wife, Nina Nunes, to carry their daughter and […]
Amanda Nunes has finally fired back at Julianna Pena who claimed she was the first true mom champion in UFC history after beating ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 earlier this month.
Pena gave birth to her daughter whereas Nunes did not. The former dual-weight champion allowed her wife, Nina Nunes, to carry their daughter and this is what Pena thinks separates the two women.
“The UFC absolutely needs to create a new belt for me and it needs to be The Baddest Mom On The Planet,” Pena said. “You know, I’m not trying to take anything away from Amanda, she’s a wonderful mother, but I gave birth to my daughter. I feel like for giving birth I am the first mom champ and that to me is also a little feather in the cap.”
“I may not have birthed my Daughter. If I wanted to I could have. I chose to watch from the outside,” Nunes wrote on Instagram alongside picture of her and her daughter. “After going through the IVF procedure with Nina. It was truly heartbreaking to see many women break down in the waiting room knowing they would never be able to carry their own and have to take another direction. This does not make these woman any less of a MOM than Nina or I. As a MOM champion as well, I feel this needed to be said. @venezuelanvixen”
Nunes suffered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when she surrendered her bantamweight belt to Pena on December 11. The Brazilian legend seemed off of her game as she slumped to a second-round submission defeat despite being a -1000 favourite over Pena, whose post-fight comments have added more intrigue to what promises to be an enthralling rematch between the two.
Do you think Amanda Nunes has a right to be angry at Julianna Pena for her mom champ comments?
Teddy Atlas has compared the recent win by Julianna Peña to some of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
Peña’s win against Amanda Nunes has shocked the combat sports world. Peña picked up a win last weekend in the UFC 269 co-main event, en…
Teddy Atlas has compared the recent win by Julianna Peña to some of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
Peña’s win against Amanda Nunes has shocked the combat sports world. Peña picked up a win last weekend in the UFC 269 co-main event, ending a back-and-forth battle in the second round with a rear-naked choke submission.
Many have since questioned where the result stands in the history of upsets in MMA. Is it one of the biggest shocks we have seen in the Octagon thus far?
Atlas, a famous boxing trainer and combat sports pundit, recently weighed in about what fights he could compare Peña’s recent win against Amanda Nunes to. Racking his brain about the fight, he considered a ’90s boxing outcome and a more recent UFC result as two fair comparisons.
“The first comparison that comes to you is Buster Douglas and [Mike] Tyson. When you think of the enormity of the upset, you know,” he said on his podcast The Fight with Teddy Atlas. “But I was surprised [the commentators] didn’t mention one that was pretty damn enormous right in their own sport. And that was [Holly] Holm and [Ronda] Rousey. People forget how dominant Rousey was. I mean, Rousey was a monster. I mean, she was Godzilla and when she got stopped and beaten… she got beat by Holly Holm, who was a former [boxer].” (h/t Sportskeeda)
Comparing Peña vs. Nunes To Upsets Of The Past
Image Credit: AP/Andy Brownbill
Douglas’ 1990 win over Tyson is legendary and is one of the most notorious upsets in sports history. The fight saw Douglas not only enter as a 42-to-1 underdog but also make a comeback after being knocked down to later stop Tyson in the 10th round.
The comparison of Nunes and Rousey’s upset losses has been made by many recently. The results were both widely regarded as a massive upset, and both fights declared the end of dominant reigns at bantamweight.
It’s certainly up for debate where Peña’s win ranks in the grand scheme of upsets. However, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that the bantamweight title fight will be discussed by fans for years to come.
Where would you rank Peña’s upset victory over Amanda Nunes in MMA history?
Former UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes has responded to Julianna Pena’s controversial “mom champ” remarks.
Nunes fell to Peña in one of the most shocking UFC moments of 2021, submitting to a rear-naked choke in the second round. Nunes appear…
Former UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes has responded to Julianna Pena’s controversial “mom champ” remarks.
Nunes fell to Peña in one of the most shocking UFC moments of 2021, submitting to a rear-naked choke in the second round. Nunes appeared winded early in the fight and arguably didn’t look like her usual dominant self.
“The UFC absolutely needs to create a new belt for me It needs to be ‘The Baddest Mom on the Planet,’ Peña said during the UFC 269 post-fight press conference. “And you know, I’m not trying to take away anything from Amanda. She’s a wonderful mother. But I gave birth to my daughter, and I know that I feel like, for giving birth, I am the first mom champ. And that, to me, is also a little feather in the cap.”
The MMA community has been divided on Pena’s controversial statements, and Pena has recently come out and claimed that she didn’t mean any ill-will with the comments and acknowledged Nunes is a great mother and a true “mom champ.”
During a recent Instagram post, Nunes addressed the controversy and aimed her statement directly at Peña.
“I may not have birthed my Daughter. If I wanted to I could have,” Nunes said. “I chose to watch from the outside. After going through the IVF procedure with Nina. It was truly heartbreaking to see many women break down in the waiting room knowing they would never be able to carry their own and have to take another direction. This doesn’t not make these women any less of a MOM than Nina or I. As a MOM champion as well, I feel this needed to be said, [Julianna Pena].”
The “Mom Champ” Controversy Could Fuel Nunes/Pena Rematch
Many of Nunes’ fans commented with messages of support on the post. Peña has yet to respond to Nunes’ post as of this writing.
Nunes and Peña are expected to run it back sometime in 2022, with both women publically agreeing to an immediate rematch. Nunes has hinted at taking some time off, and it’s unclear when she’s targeting her return.
The Peña vs. Nunes rivalry appears to just be getting started, and this out-of-competition turmoil could fuel the fire between these two women going forward. Whenever they end up fighting again, it’s almost certain that Peña’s comments will continue to be addressed publically.
What are your thoughts on the Amanda Nunes/Julianna Peña “Mom Champ” controversy?
Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate is hoping to avoid a fight with her friend and reigning 135-pound titleholder Julianna Peña and could move down to flyweight to do so.
Last weekend, Peña proved the likes of Chael Sonnen and Cris…
Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate is hoping to avoid a fight with her friend and reigning 135-pound titleholder Julianna Peña and could move down to flyweight to do so.
Last weekend, Peña proved the likes of Chael Sonnen and Cris Cyborg right and blew the minds of the rest of the MMA community by dethroning the seemingly unstoppable Amanda Nunes. Ahead of the UFC 269 co-main event, the challenger’s confidence and self-belief were branded as “delusional” by the champ and many fans, some of whom were left with shocked faces inside the T-Mobile Arena.
After a strong opening round for Nunes, “The Venezuelan Vixen” flew out the gate in the second, taking the fight to the “Lioness” on the feet. After hurting the Brazilian, Peña dragged her to the mat and forced a quick tap, completing one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXZNFgmMNXs/
Tate Could Pursue A Different Belt
Since the incredible result, talk has turned to Peña’s reign and future opponents. However, one of the biggest names in the division and a former titleholder doesn’t appear willing to face the newly-crowned champion if she works her way back to the belt.
Miesha Tate, a good friend and occasional training partner of “The Venezuelan Vixen,” is expecting Peña to retain the gold in her likely rematch with Nunes. With that could come a tricky scenario.
Despite maintaining aspirations of having a UFC strap wrapped around her waist again, “Cupcake” told MMA Junkie that she would rather avoid entering the Octagon with Peña. Tate even suggested she could pursue Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight gold instead.
“A lot can change between now and then, so I have to win and do my job so I think what really I’ve got to do is win and focus on that. If Julie’s still the champion by the time that I get there, then I think that’s a conversation we have at that time. I’ve probably got to get two wins until I’m looking at a championship fight, at least, so I’ve got to focus on me and I’m going to continue to cheer on Julie and pray that we don’t ever have to fight each other.
Julianna Peña, Miesha Tate
“I know that Julianna can make 125 and I can make 125. There’s also those things too. It’s not out of the question for either of us to go hunting Valentina (Shevchenko) at some point. There’s lots of dynamics. I know she really wants that fight too so we’d have to see what happens if everything continues to play out in that direction. There’s always that possibility of us going to 125 for either of us too.”
As Tate mentioned, she’s likely a few wins away from arriving at the crossroads she’s fearing. After returning from retirement earlier this year with a victory over Marion Reneau, the former champ’s title charge was stalled last month in a main event loss to Ketlen Vieira. Now sat at #7 in the rankings, Tate will be after a couple of wins over top names before entering contention again.
But while stating her trepidation at moving down a division and her desire to remain at bantamweight, the 35-year-old admitted a transition to the 125-pound weight class is not out of the question while Peña is on the throne.
“It’s something I’ve definitely thought about, but I definitely don’t want people thinking that I’m running at 135,” Tate said. “I hate the idea of leaving a division on a loss. It really bugs me. Something really bothers me about that, leaving the division on a loss. It’s something I’ve thought about, but at the same time, I feel like I need more time to digest all of that. It’s not out of the question by any means, but it would be a long process to get down to 125. I’ve been pretty vocal that I’m not a fan of big weight cuts, so I would probably have to do some things to change my body to get down to that weight, but it’s not something that’s way out in left field.
Miesha Tate
“It’s definitely something I feel like it would be an option. I just have to decide to. I’m definitely leaning toward staying at 135 especially given the change-ups, but it’s definitely not something out of the question.”
While the situation is something to think about for the future, former champ Nunes will be looking to save the pair from the hassle of avoiding a matchup with each other by immediately reclaiming the title. The Brazilian has the option of a rematch and appears more than willing to run it back with the first woman to beat her since Cat Zingano in 2014.
If Nunes doesn’t recapture the bantamweight throne, though, and Tate records a few triumphs over names like Irena Aldana; Holly Holm; and Aspen Ladd, who’s made her desire to face Tate known; perhaps we’ll be seeing “Cupcake” making a tough cut down to flyweight before her career is done.
How do you think Miesha Tate would fare against flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko?
Move over Henry Cejudo, Julianna Peña is calling for an intergender bantamweight superfight.
Peña’s shocking upset at UFC 269 has made her the talk of the town. While it seems like she’ll have to rematch Amanda Nunes to solidify herself, Peña is a…
Move over Henry Cejudo, Julianna Peña is calling for an intergender bantamweight superfight.
Peña’s shocking upset at UFC 269 has made her the talk of the town. While it seems like she’ll have to rematch Amanda Nunes to solidify herself, Peña is already looking past Nunes. But the fight she’s calling for isn’t another women’s bantamweight challenger. In fact, Peña isn’t calling for a woman at all (H/T MMAFPress).
“Now that I have beat Amanda (Nunes), it’s safe to say I am the women’s GOAT and I think it’s time I get a second belt so I want the easiest fight at the 135lbs division, I want Aljamain Sterling next.”
“The Venezuelan Vixen” may have been fooling around on the show, but in her jest, she again brought up the fact that she had actually given birth to her child while Nunes had not. The controversial comments got her in hot water right after winning the belt. She went on to explain what she meant to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Yet, Peña had no problem bringing up the topic again when discussing the Sterling fight.
“Now that I have the 135lbs women’s belt and I am (the) first woman that gave birth, exactly gave birth to become a champion, I think it’s time that I unify both 135lbs belts to become the first intergender champion mom.”
Peña signed off on the interview by issuing another threat to Sterling. This one seemed aimed at “The Funkmaster’s” DQ win over Petr Yan.
“You (Aljamain Sterling) need to stop ducking me. I am coming for that belt, if you are on the street, at the gym, or the movie set, I will find you and make you tap like you won the Oscars.”
The upset over Nunes is one of the biggest in MMA history. The double champ was on a 12-fight, six-year win streak going into UFC 269. Peña, on the other hand, was 2-2 in her last four outings to the Octagon. Oddsmakers had Nunes as a lock to win, but sometimes fate has other ideas.
Who do you think would win an intergender showdown between Aljamain Sterling and Julianna Peña?
Amanda Nunes has finally fired back at Julianna Pena who claimed she was the first true mom champion in UFC history after beating ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 earlier this month. Pena gave birth to her daughter whereas Nunes did not. The former dual-weight champion allowed her wife, Nina Nunes, to carry their daughter and […]
