Tag: UFC 269

Amanda Nunes: Peña Defeat Was A “Combination Of A Lot Of Things”

UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes has opened up on her upset defeat to Julianna Peña at UFC 269. In a year that saw Mexico’s Brandon Moreno and Brazil’s Glover Teixeira crowned as unlikely champions, it was a certain “Venezuelan Vixen” who took the cake in terms of shocking title-winning performances. At the final pay-per-view […]

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UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes has opened up on her upset defeat to Julianna Peña at UFC 269.

In a year that saw Mexico’s Brandon Moreno and Brazil’s Glover Teixeira crowned as unlikely champions, it was a certain “Venezuelan Vixen” who took the cake in terms of shocking title-winning performances.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, then-two-division UFC champion Nunes looked to extend her win streak to 13 and maintain her dominance over the 135-pound weight class.

Hoping to hand the “Lioness” her first defeat since 2014 was Peña, an outspoken and confident challenger who represented a pre-fight approach we hadn’t seen versus Nunes for some time.

While many doubted as much, The Ultimate Fighter‘s first female winner proved that her confidence was well placed by dethroning Nunes in a memorable fashion inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Nunes: My Camp For Peña Was A “Mess”

Now, with her chance at redemption confirmed for later this year, the former bantamweight queen has looked back on her upset loss on December 11, and detailed the issues she thinks led to her disappointing performance.

In addition to the damage done to her training and routine by the pair’s canceled bout in August, which came after Nunes returned a positive COVID-19 test, the Brazilian has revealed she was suffering through injuries before and during her clash with “The Venezuelan Vixen.”

Those factors led to what Nunes described as a “mess” of a pre-fight camp, and ultimately a defeated performance at UFC 269.

“Honestly, I feel like it was a combination of a lot of things,” Nunes said during a recent media scrum. “You know, we were going through a lot of things before the fight, especially injuries and trying to train with injuries, all those things. I think I look back on my training camp preparing for Julianna; it was a mess. If you look back, the first fight (booking), I had Covid. I was doing good in that camp, and then I get Covid, and I have to stop; to really start over.

“Finally, I start over, I get a couple issues that I had to go through with it, but I (didn’t) wanna let that fight go again,” Nunes added. “So I thought it wouldn’t look good if I let that fight fall through one more time… I didn’t have a very good camp. That is the honest thing.”

With the pair set for a coaching stint on TUF before their intriguing rematch, Nunes will hope to make it to her chance for redemption at 100%. If she does so, Peña will certainly have a tough opening defense for her newly begun reign atop the bantamweight mountain.

Do you think Amanda Nunes will exact revenge on Julianna Peña in their rematch?

Continue Reading Amanda Nunes: Peña Defeat Was A “Combination Of A Lot Of Things” at MMA News.

Rogan: Peña’s UFC 269 Upset Over Nunes Changed The World

UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes women’s bantamweight queen Julianna Peña changed the world with her victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. At the final pay-per-view of 2021, Peña closed out the year by providing one of its most memorable moments. Prior to the event, “The Venezuelan Vixen” carried an air of confidence that […]

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UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes women’s bantamweight queen Julianna Peña changed the world with her victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, Peña closed out the year by providing one of its most memorable moments. Prior to the event, “The Venezuelan Vixen” carried an air of confidence that has never been synonymous with opponents of Nunes, who was undefeated since 2014 at the time and reigned over both the 135 and 145-pound weight classes.

Having been branded delusional by most, including the “Lioness,” Peña set out to prove herself right and her doubters wrong. In about as impressive fashion as she could, she did just that.

After surviving the opening round, Peña brought a look out of Nunes that no one has managed to do since Cat Zingano eight years ago. After tiring the Brazilian out in a wild battle on the feet, Peña dragged her to the ground and submitted her.

According to the new champ, Nunes got “exposed” at UFC 269.

Rogan: Peña Showed What Is Possible

The result was an upset felt around the world. From casual fans and hardcore fans to fighters and pundits, very few had seen it coming. That’s what made it arguably the biggest shock in UFC history.

One man who recognized the momentous nature of the win was Joe Rogan. From his cageside seat, the renowned podcast host had a front-row view for what transpired. In his mind, the fight not only changed the landscape of the division and the promotion but the entire world.

“It was almost like the world changed,” Rogan said while hosting Peña on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. “The whole world changed. Like, what is not possible is now possible.”

Whilst the UFC 269 co-main event brought the MMA community one of the most memorable underdog triumphs the sport has ever seen, Rogan believes the fight itself also boasted everything required to make it a classic.

The 54-year-old told the newly-crowned champion that her effort that night in Las Vegas created everything he and the rest of the fanbase would ever want from a matchup inside the Octagon.

“That was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. In terms of, what do you want out of a fight? You want to be completely immersed,” added Rogan. “The world goes away. All you’re thinking about is what’s happening right in front of you. And because of your effort, because of what you accomplished that night, you changed the way people think about what’s possible and not possible. That’s everything we want from a fight. Everything.

“You were the underdog, you came in, you were counted out by so many people, you fought the greatest of all time, and you fucked her up. And the way you did it, the whole world—everybody that watched that was like, ‘Holy shit.’ The world is a different place now.”

Having ascended the 135-pound mountaintop, the next step for Peña will be to further tighten her hold on the belt by adding another blemish to Nunes’ record when they collide for their expected rematch later his year.

But even if she is unable to do so, nobody will be able to take away her accomplishment and the incredible feat she achieved on December 11.

What was your reaction when Julianna Peña ended the two-division dominance of Amanda Nunes at UFC 269?

Continue Reading Rogan: Peña’s UFC 269 Upset Over Nunes Changed The World at MMA News.

Julianna Pena Heartbroken Following Khabib’s UFC 269 Comments

Julianna PenaUFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena should have been basking in celebration following her win over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. However, it seems the new champion was hurting more than celebrating after hearing comments made by Khabib Nurmagomedov on the state of women’s mixed martial arts. Pena pulled off one of the biggest upsets […]

Julianna Pena

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena should have been basking in celebration following her win over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. However, it seems the new champion was hurting more than celebrating after hearing comments made by Khabib Nurmagomedov on the state of women’s mixed martial arts.

Pena pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports history when she submitted Amanda Nunes in the second round to claim the bantamweight strap, a task that is certainly not easily achieved. Whilst many showed delight for her, there was one man who wasn’t impressed with the performance: former UFC undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In a press conference for Eagle FC Khabib played down Pena’s achievement and took a jab at the level of competition currently in women’s mixed martial arts.

“I am like, we can watch what Julianna Peña did with Amanda Nunes (at UFC 269). But Julianna Peña, she is not like the greatest or something like that. She just beat Amanda Nunes like (on the day). We can watch not many good (female) fighters all around the world. There are only like five or six of them.”

Julianna Pena Responds To Khabib’s Comment

Pena hadn’t responded to Khabib’s comments yet until she made a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, this is what she had to say.

 “I saw in a presser that they asked [Khabib] a question and he was just completely downgrading the whole win and everything like that….it totally broke my heart…”

“I was like, ‘Dude, you’re breaking my heart, man. Like, I freaking love you. Like, seriously.”

“He must be friends with Kayla Harrison or something. I don’t know. Because he was like, [MOCK KHABIB ACCENT] ‘If this is the top of women’s division, it’s a joke, I mean, it wasn’t very nice. I didn’t appreciate it, Khabib.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

It appears Pena hasn’t yet been given the respect, she deserves from Khabib, however if she is successful in her first title defence against Nunes people won’t have much choice but to give her the respect she already deserves.

What do you make of Khabib’s comments towards Julianna Pena?

UFC 269: Oliveira Vs. Poirier Estimated Domestic PPV Buys Revealed

The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of 2021, UFC 269, was reportedly another great night of business for the promotion overall.

UFC 269 featured plenty of exciting fights and wild finishes inside the Octagon. Arguably the most shocking moment of the…

UFC 269, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier

The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of 2021, UFC 269, was reportedly another great night of business for the promotion overall.

UFC 269 featured plenty of exciting fights and wild finishes inside the Octagon. Arguably the most shocking moment of the event came courtesy of Julianna Peña’s upset over Amanda Nunes in the co-main.

The event was capped off by UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira’s successful title defense against Dustin Poirier. After surviving an early barrage, Oliveira utilized his grappling and secured a third-round submission with a standing rear-naked choke.

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was raucous from start to finish as the fights went on, with the athletes competing in front of another sold-out crowd. Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern recently reported the PPV statistics for UFC 269.

While the UFC managed to exceed a half-million PPV buys on ESPN+, the event didn’t outsell UFC 268. The card held at Madison Square Garden in New York City recorded around 700,000 PPV purchases.

It’s unclear how UFC 270 did in terms of PPV purchases, as president Dana White wasn’t present at the post-fight press conference to talk about the promotion’s business trends. Nevertheless, the recent bump in PPV price to $74.99 may have an impact on their business going forward in 2022.

Did you purchase the UFC 269 pay-per-view?

Continue Reading UFC 269: Oliveira Vs. Poirier Estimated Domestic PPV Buys Revealed at MMA News.

Michael Chandler: Dustin Poirier Ate His Words At UFC 269

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes Dustin Poirier “ate his words” at UFC 269 after describing the vacant title fight at UFC 262 as a clash for “fool’s gold.”

At the start of 2021, the future of the lightweight division was uncertai…

UFC 269: Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes Dustin Poirier “ate his words” at UFC 269 after describing the vacant title fight at UFC 262 as a clash for “fool’s gold.”

At the start of 2021, the future of the lightweight division was uncertain. But after Khabib Nurmagomedov committed to his retirement by vacating the gold and Poirier pursued a third fight with Conor McGregor, the path was laid out.

While “The Diamond” and the “Notorious” Irishman faced off in a title eliminator at UFC 264, a champion was crowned two months prior at UFC 262. The main event pitched Charles Oliveira against former three-time Bellator champion Chandler.

After “Do Bronx” mounted an incredible second-round comeback to secure his place on the lightweight throne, a moment 28 UFC fights in the making, Poirier later cemented his place as the Brazilian’s first challenger with his second triumph of the year over McGregor.

At UFC 269, Oliveira made his first title defense. Despite many expecting Poirier to be too much for the champion, the underdog once again upset the odds. In the third round, Oliveira submitted Poirier with a standing rear-naked choke.

Chandler Details The “Irony” Of Poirier’s Loss

In the aftermath of the final pay-per-view of 2021, Chandler wasted no time in criticizing the fallen challenger. In a couple of posts on Twitter, “Iron” suggested Poirier “quit” in his main event clash against Oliveira.

While he slightly walked back the comment in a later interview and admitted it was harsh, Chandler maintained that “The Diamond” has doubted him since the start, a sentiment he reiterated during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour.

Discussing where his comments came from, Chandler brought up the fact Poirier had described the title as “fool’s gold” when he fought Oliveira for it last May. Given the fact the former interim titleholder then went on to lose to “Do Bronx,” Chandler believes Poirier ate his words at UFC 269.

“The reason I was critical of Dustin Poirier has been his dismissal and just downright disrespectful of me when I came into the UFC lightweight division,” claimed Chandler. “Even after Dustin made the decision that he didn’t wanna fight for the UFC title and he wanted to hold out for the money fight against Conor, when me and Oliveira were next in line and we said yes and we were gonna fight, instead of just saying, ‘Hey, I decided to fight Conor and let these guys fight for the title,’ he called the title ‘fool’s gold,’ and I think that was part of it.

“That’s what he called the title that Charles Oliveira won, and then Charles Oliveira went out there and finished him,” added Chandler. “My only regret was that I didn’t type in ‘fool’s gold’ somewhere in that statement because that was exactly what Dustin Poirier called the title that me and Charles Oliveira fought for. Dustin Poirier decided to take the money fight with Conor, which I don’t blame him (for) whatsoever, but that’s the decision you make, so don’t go ahead and discredit the guys who are fighting for the title and call the title ‘fool’s gold.’

“So the ‘fool’s gold’ champion Charles Oliveira went out there and finished Dustin Poirier, which is just a little bit ironic… I think Dustin Poirier ate his words that night.”

In 2022, both Chandler and Poirier have their eyes on possible opponents but are yet to have one set in stone. Whilst “The Diamond” has his sights set on a welterweight clash with Nate Diaz, a prospect that also entices Chandler, “Iron” is looking at potential matchups with Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson.

But outside of these possibilities, Chandler is also open to settling his score with Poirier inside the Octagon. Given their exciting and fan-friendly styles, the fight would undoubtedly be highly anticipated and highlight entertaining.

Would you like to see Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier share the Octagon in 2022?

Continue Reading Michael Chandler: Dustin Poirier Ate His Words At UFC 269 at MMA News.

Paddy Pimblett On Dustin Poirier: ‘If Oliveira Can Do That To You, I Can’

Paddy PimblettPaddy Pimblett believes that he could submit Dustin Poirier in a similar fashion to Charles Oliveira. Since making his debut in the UFC last year, Pimblett has been making all kinds of noise in the MMA space. His knockout of Luigi Vendramini really brought a ton of new eyes on the Liverpool product. What a […]

Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett believes that he could submit Dustin Poirier in a similar fashion to Charles Oliveira.

Since making his debut in the UFC last year, Pimblett has been making all kinds of noise in the MMA space. His knockout of Luigi Vendramini really brought a ton of new eyes on the Liverpool product. What a lot of these new fans do not realize is that “The Baddy” actually has more submission wins than knockout wins.

During his recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s podcast ‘Believe You Me’ Pimblett suggested that he could finish Poirier in the same way that Charles Oliveira did at UFC 269. (H/T bjpenn.com)

“I went with Poirier over Oliveira. And lad, after watching that fight as well, I’m watching that thinking, ‘Lad, if Oliveira can do that to you Dustin, I can.’ It’s mad like, when you watch (it), MMA math doesn’t work, but when you watch fights, you’re just like, ‘Wow, if he can do that and get in that position, then f***ing I can.”

While Pimblett is very confident in his abilities, he also isn’t going to get too far ahead of himself. He has already said that in order for him to fight the top 15 fighters, he will have to get an increase in pay.

He has also been teasing his return to the octagon recently. With the UFC returning to England in the early spring, it seems like the Pimblett train is just getting started.

Before storming onto the scene in the UFC, Pimblett was a star in Cage Warriors over in the UK. He was the featherweight champ and also competed at lightweight toward the end of his time with the promotion.

The full podcast with Michael Bisping and Paddy Pimblett is available below.

Do you think that Paddy Pimblett could submit Dustin Poirier like Charles Oliveira did at UFC 269?