Tag: UFC 269

Julianna Peña Says 135lb Weight Cut Was Nunes’ First UFC 269 Battle

Newly-crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña believes making weight was the first battle for Amanda Nunes ahead of UFC 269.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, Nunes saw her dominant two-division reign collapse at the hands of an un…

Julianna Peña, Amanda Nunes

Newly-crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña believes making weight was the first battle for Amanda Nunes ahead of UFC 269.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, Nunes saw her dominant two-division reign collapse at the hands of an unlikely challenger, although every threat to her throne had been seen as that up until “The Venezuelan Vixen” shocked the world.

Ahead of the event, it looked like business as usual for Nunes. But inside the Octagon, things were far from normal for the “Lioness.”

Peña, who entered the clash with a noticeable air of confidence and self-belief, repeatedly told people what was going to happen. While most didn’t listen, a select few did. Nevertheless, when she choked out Nunes in the second round, becoming the first woman to defeat the Brazilian since 2014, the MMA world was treated to one of if not the biggest upsets in the sport’s history.

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Peña: Nunes Had 2 Fights To Prepare For

Peña undoubtedly prepared endlessly for her clash with the former double champ and had her sights set on Nunes throughout her fight camp. But she believes the same can’t be said the other way around.

While “The Venezuelan Vixen” was able to put all of her energy into gameplay and strategy, the champ believes the Brazilian had two fights to prepare for, one being her weight cut.

Nunes has held the featherweight title since her own incredible upset victory over Cris Cyborg in 2018. Prior to UFC 269, she had defended the 145-pound belt in back-to-back contests against Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson. Having not made the cut to 135 pounds since 2019, Peña believes Nunes may have struggled.

During an interview with Fox Sports, the bantamweight titleholder was asked whether she was surprised to see her opponent tire so quickly in their co-main event fight. Given that Nunes had to overcome her first battle, a grueling weight cut, Peña wasn’t shocked to witness the “Lioness” gas out so quickly, an advantage the champ says she took full advantage of as a natural bantamweight.

“I think that she had two fights her entire camp leading up to this fight. Her first fight was gonna be her weight cut and trying to get her body back down to fighting at bantamweight. And her second fight was gonna be (against) me. Whereas, I only had one fight the entire time and that was me focusing on just Amanda, not having to make weight, not having to make such a drastic weight cut. (It was) something that I never had to take into consideration during my camp. I am a natural 135lber.

Amanda Nunes
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I knew that she was going to be struggling to make that weight, and that was gonna be the first battle she’d have to overcome. With that being said, she was gassed after the first, and I could hear that. I could feel it. I could just hear that heavy breathing in my ear. I knew that was, like I’ve been saying the whole time, the key to success there—just to wear her out, get her tired.”

If her weight cut did play a part, Nunes all be hoping to resolve the issue in 2022 when she has her chance for redemption. Following the shocking result, UFC President Dana White confirmed the Brazilian would be offered an immediate rematch, something she’s already welcomed with open arms.

Do you think Amanda Nunes’ weight cut played a part in her defeat to Julianna Peña at UFC 269?

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Says 135lb Weight Cut Was Nunes’ First UFC 269 Battle at MMA News.

Pimblett: If Oliveira Can Do That To Poirier, So Can I

Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett says Charles Oliveira’s victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 has given him the confidence that he could do the same in a fight against “The Diamond.”

Having joined the UFC roster in 2021, Pimblett n…

Paddy Pimblett, UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier

Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett says Charles Oliveira’s victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 has given him the confidence that he could do the same in a fight against “The Diamond.”

Having joined the UFC roster in 2021, Pimblett now has the privilege of having a front-row seat alongside his fellow stars at pay-per-view events. He made full use of that treatment for the final PPV card of last year, headlined by Oliveira’s first title defense.

Having won the vacant belt earlier in the year with a memorable comeback against Michael Chandler, “Do Bronx” was looking to legitimize his place on the lightweight throne and his championship credentials, something the likes of Justin Gaethje and a portion of The UFC fanbase doubted.

He answered their questions in emphatic fashion by locking in a standing rear-naked choke in the third round that forced Poirier to tap out.

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Pimblett Fancies His Chances Opposite “The Diamond”

In the eyes of most, the win cemented Oliveira’s place as the best lightweight in the world right now. A victory over Poirier, a heavy favourite heading into the clash and the consensus best 155lber leading into UFC 269, certainly seems worthy of securing that title. However, one future star in the division had a different takeaway from the result.

During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, “The Baddy” suggested Oliveira’s ability to take Poirier’s back and lock in a submission has convinced him he’d be able to find the same success against the former interim titleholder.

“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 fucking I can.'”

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While Pimblett certainly has a long way to go before he joins the same conversations as Poirier, he is highly touted by many. That includes by his fellow Englishman Bisping, who believes he has the confidence and mindset to one day become a champion on MMA’s biggest stage.

After impressing on debut with a first-round knockout against Luigi Vendramini, “The Baddy” will be hoping for similar success in 2022, a year he aims to fight three times in. That looks set to start on March 19, a card targeted to be the promotion’s return to London, England.

How do you think Paddy Pimblett would fare inside the Octagon against Dustin Poirier?

Continue Reading Pimblett: If Oliveira Can Do That To Poirier, So Can I at MMA News.

Erin Blanchfield: Maverick Fight Was “Easier” Than I Expected

UFC women’s flyweight Erin Blanchfield described her UFC 269 fight with Miranda Maverick as “easier” than she thought it would be.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, two of the UFC’s top female prospects collided, both looking to move closer to a s…

UFC 269: Blanchfield vs. Maverick, Erin Blanchfield

UFC women’s flyweight Erin Blanchfield described her UFC 269 fight with Miranda Maverick as “easier” than she thought it would be.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, two of the UFC’s top female prospects collided, both looking to move closer to a spot in the 125-pound rankings.

24-year-old Maverick was about as highly touted as they come, and entered last summer 2-0 in the UFC following victories over Liana Jojua and Gillian Robertson. After a controversial split decision loss to Maycee Barber, a result most disagreed with, “Fear The” Maverick was hoping to rebound by halting the charge of a fellow future star on December 11.

Blanchfield, meanwhile, had made her way to the UFC and established herself as rising name at the age of just 22. After back-to-back Performance of the Night performances under the Invicta FC banner, “Cold Blooded” debuted on MMA’s biggest stage with a win against Sarah Alpar last September.

At UFC 269, it was the younger of the two prospects who made her way further up the mountain. By securing a dominant unanimous decision triumph, Blanchfield moved closer to the group of contenders and put the rest of the weight class on notice.

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Blanchfield Promises To “Keep Surprising People”

In the eyes of many leading up to the blockbuster year-ending PPV, Blanchfield was the underdog and was expected to make way for the division’s hottest prospect. Ultimately, that couldn’t have been further from reality. With a flyweight record seven takedowns and some hard shots on the ground, Blanchfield imposed her will with ease.

During her appearance at the post-fight press conference, “Cold Blooded” suggested the only thing that really surprised her was how easy the contest was. Given the hype surrounding Maverick and her muscular build, Blanchfield understands why her opponent was favored. However, she promised to keep upsetting the odds on her way to the top.

“I’m pretty happy with it. I wish I could’ve hit her a little bit more. She was good at holding my wrist and stopping my ground and pound that I like. But you know, the fight felt pretty smooth, it went the way I wanted it to, so I’m happy with it.

“I think her striking, she had decent fakes. But other than that, everything felt easier than I thought it was gonna be, honestly. I mean, I know everyone picked her to win, but I feel like that’s probably just because she looks a little more muscular. I don’t look like I should be able to be this strong and beat these people. But I know I can and I have the technicality and the ability to do so. I’m gonna keep surprising people until I’m champ.”

Blanchfield was initially scheduled to face Barber on December 11, but “The Future” was forced to withdraw. With Barber sat at #13 in the rankings, we could well see that clash re-arranged in 2022.

For Blanchfield, it would provide the chance to secure her place on the divisional ladder. For Barber, it would give her the opportunity to cement herself as the top flyweight prospect.

What did you make of Erin Blanchfield’s latest performance? Do you see her as a future champion?

Continue Reading Erin Blanchfield: Maverick Fight Was “Easier” Than I Expected at MMA News.

Ribas Questions Nunes’ Health Condition During UFC 269 Loss

UFC strawweight contender Amanda Ribas has suggested something may have been wrong with featherweight champion Amanda Nunes prior to her shocking defeat at UFC 269.

Ahead of the final pay-per-view of 2021, Nunes reigned over two divisions, hadn’t l…

Amanda Ribas, Amanda Nunes

UFC strawweight contender Amanda Ribas has suggested something may have been wrong with featherweight champion Amanda Nunes prior to her shocking defeat at UFC 269.

Ahead of the final pay-per-view of 2021, Nunes reigned over two divisions, hadn’t lost since 2014, was riding a 12-fight win streak, and had cemented her place as the female MMA GOAT in the eye of most.

With those accolades in mind, she was expected to close the year out with a comfortable bantamweight title defense against Julianna Peña. What occurred in Las Vegas on December 11 was far from comfortable for “The Lioness.”

Proving that her fight week confidence and self-belief hadn’t been misplaced, and proving most fans and pundits wrong, Peña executed her strategy to perfection, tiring Nunes out on the feet and choking her out on the ground. The result will forever be seen as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

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Ribas “Can’t Wait” For Nunes To Reclaim The Title

The reaction to the incredible underdog triumph saw a host of theories about the win, the chokehold, and Nunes’ resolve after being put in a position she hadn’t been in for seven years. But the Brazilian’s compatriot and American Top Team teammate, Amanda Ribas, says nobody knows what happened inside the T-Mobile Arena except the former 135-pound queen.

During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Ribas compared Nunes’ disappointing defeat to her own setback opposite Marina Rodriguez earlier in the year. Despite feeling prepared and good to go, something felt off on the night, a phenomenon she believes could have hit “The Lioness” at UFC 269.

“Maybe she had sinusitis and nobody knew,” Ribas said. “Imagine getting punched in the face and when you see it, wow. Nobody knows. Maybe she didn’t recover well from her weight cut. I haven’t spoken with her so I don’t know. Nobody knows what happened that day.

“In my opinion, I thought she looked a little, I don’t know, kind of the same way I was in my fight with Marina [Rodriguez]. I was fine, I was prepared, but [wasn’t 100 percent there]. And sometimes the Venezuelan was more active, wanted it more.”

Despite admitting the loss was difficult for her to accept as a fan and teammate of Nunes, Ribas expects the reigning featherweight titleholder to bounce back in 2022 and reclaim the bantamweight belt from “The Venezuelan Vixen.”

“It was complicated,” she said of her reaction to Nunes’ UFC 269 loss. “I have Amanda at the top, like no one’s getting near her and she’ll beat everybody. To me, she’s very smart in her game and has an extraordinary mind for the fight, so it’s hard to accept when she lost.

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“Maybe she’ll accept the loss better than me, as a fan. But nobody knows how she was [feeling] that day. Maybe she didn’t perform that day. Nobody knows what’s going on. It was sad, but I know she’ll bounce back. She’s still the [featherweight] champion. She’s only lost one belt and I’m sure she will reclaim it. [Peña] said she’ll give her an immediate rematch, and I can’t wait for it.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

It appears Nunes will have the chance to prove Ribas right soon enough. In the aftermath of her championship loss, the Brazilian’s option of an immediate rematch was confirmed by UFC President Dana White.

Showing that her motivation and toughest hasn’t dwindled, Nunes was quick to accept. “The Lioness” will no doubt be returning to the Octagon with extra fire and hunger in 2022.

Do you think Amanda Nunes will reclaim the bantamweight gold if she runs it back with Julianna Peña in 2022?

Continue Reading Ribas Questions Nunes’ Health Condition During UFC 269 Loss at MMA News.

Gaethje Questions If McGregor Paychecks Affected Poirier At UFC 269

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has questioned whether Dustin Poirier’s lucrative fights with Conor McGregor earlier this year may have hampered his performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, many e…

Justin Gaethje, UFC 264: McGregor vs. Poirier 3, UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has questioned whether Dustin Poirier’s lucrative fights with Conor McGregor earlier this year may have hampered his performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

At the final pay-per-view of 2021, many expected Poirier to secure his place in contention for Fighter of the Year through a title crowning. In January, “The Diamond” got his 2014 loss to McGregor back by becoming the first man to knock the former two-division champion out. Six months later, the pair headlined their second event of the year. Poirier secured the trilogy victory after the Irishman broke his leg in the opening round.

Following two lucrative money fights, Poirier turned his attention back to the belt. He became the first man to challenge the reign of fellow promotional veteran Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

Despite entering the fight as the favorite, the Louisianan had a dose of déjà vu from his previous title attempt in 2019. Like against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier was submitted with a rear-naked choke in the third round by “Do Bronx.”

UFC 269: Dustin Poirier suffers more title heartache as Charles Oliveira chokes him out to retain lightweight title
Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, UFC 269

The result has seemingly set the stage for new #1-ranked contender Gaethje to have his second crack at the undisputed gold in 2022. Following the main event fight that likely determined which individual he’ll be looking to dethrone next year, “The Highlight” discussed the action that unfolded in an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto.

Gaethje suggested that Poirier’s previous outings in 2021 may have had a negative impact on his drive to succeed at UFC 269. Having earned millions with two triumphs over MMA’s biggest superstar, the Arizona native believes Poirier may have had less hunger than before this year.

“Luckily for me, I’ve just lost a fight two fights ago. You know, I’m back here in this position, but when you get to the top and you lose, you’re not sure if you’re gonna get back. And I’m not coming off two (fights) where I just made $10 million-plus, at the end of the day. (I have) the same goals I had from day one, which are to represent my family, my country, my town, to inspire the world, and to gain economic comfortability for me and my family through this sport.

“I don’t have that yet, so of course I’m still as hungry as ever. I can’t say that’s why Poirier wasn’t or was; I don’t think he wasn’t hungry, I just, I don’t know. I can’t imagine… I hope one day I know how hard it is to get ready for a fight coming off those two big paychecks.”

Gaethje Suggests Oliveira Had “More Hunger” At UFC 269

Whether the McGregor fights had a significant part to play or not, Gaethje, who was in attendance for Oliveira’s first title defense, believes the Brazilian had “more hunger” on the night. Nevertheless, “The Highlight” acknowledged there was more to the result than just that, also suggesting “Do Bronx” is simply better at this moment in time.

“You know, I think he’s (Oliveira) better right now (than Poirier), more hungry, per se, more specifically. That’s such a huge factor, and then the confidence, the fact the belt is around his waist, he’s representing Brazil on that level, it just makes this man that much harder to beat. I think that was a big piece of it.”

Having previously doubted the toughness and resolve of Oliveira, Gaethje will now look to prove himself right and do what Poirier failed to do when he gets his own shot at the Brazilian’s gold next year.

Do you agree with Justin Gaethje? Did Charles Oliveira have more hunger than Dustin Poirier at UFC 269?

Continue Reading Gaethje Questions If McGregor Paychecks Affected Poirier At UFC 269 at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev Gets His Wish In The UFC 269 Main Event

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev’s hope for a matchup with Charles Oliveira is still alive following the champ’s win at UFC 269.

Makhachev paid close attention to Oliveira’s win over Dustin Poirier in the UFC 269 main event. After a rough …

Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev’s hope for a matchup with Charles Oliveira is still alive following the champ’s win at UFC 269.

Makhachev paid close attention to Oliveira’s win over Dustin Poirier in the UFC 269 main event. After a rough start to the fight, Oliveira found his groove with his grappling and would eventually earn the submission win.

Charles Oliveira
USA Today

Islam Makhachev has catapulted to the lightweight title picture after a run of dominant performances. His most recent win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267 was arguably the most impressive of his career.

Makhachev is mostly known for his Dagestan-style wrestling prowess in the Octagon, while Oliveira is known to have some of the most elite jiu-jitsu in UFC history. Leading up to UFC 269, Makhachev picked Poirier to beat Oliveira but was still hopeful for a grappling showcase against the defending champion.

“I have Dustin in favor tonight, but want Oliveira to be there when I’m fighting for the title. Sambo vs. Jiu-Jitsu,” Makhachev tweeted pre-UFC 269.

After Oliveira got the win, Makhachev congratulated the champion and teased a potential future matchup between the two lightweights.

“Congrats [Charles Oliveira] just hold in there for me,” Makhachev said.

Makhachev is likely just one win away from a lightweight title shot after winning nine in a row. He’s slated to face Beneil Dariush at a UFC Fight Night main event on Feb. 26.

Both Makhachev and Oliveira have managed to go on dominant runs through the lightweight division, making a fight between the two elite lightweights almost inevitable. While Oliveira is expected to face Justin Gaethje next, Makhachev is waiting in the wings for a shot at the belt.

Who do you think would win a fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira?

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Gets His Wish In The UFC 269 Main Event at MMA News.