Amanda Nunes scoffs at Julianna Peña, touts Irene Aldana as ‘Real opponent’ ahead of UFC 289 title fight

Amanda Nunes praises Irene Aldana as "real opponent" ahead of UFC 289 over Julianna PeñaAhead of her Octagon return in June atop a UFC 289 pay-per-view card in British Columbia, Canada, undisputed duel-weight champion, Amanda Nunes has described incoming challenger, Irene Aldana as the legitimate title chaser at 135lbs – rather than former champion and two-time foe, Julianna Peña. Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight champion, is slated […]

Amanda Nunes praises Irene Aldana as "real opponent" ahead of UFC 289 over Julianna Peña

Ahead of her Octagon return in June atop a UFC 289 pay-per-view card in British Columbia, Canada, undisputed duel-weight champion, Amanda Nunes has described incoming challenger, Irene Aldana as the legitimate title chaser at 135lbs – rather than former champion and two-time foe, Julianna Peña.

Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 289 in June in a bantamweight title defense against Mexican challenger, Aldana.

Initially, Nunes was scheduled to face-off with the above-mentioned former division champion, Peña on that card in the promotion’s return to Canada, however, fractured ribs have ruled the latter from contention

In turn, Aldana, a native of Guadalajara, now has opportunity to join compatriots, Brandon Moreno, Yair Rodríguez, and Alexa Grasso as champions hailing from the region under the banner of the UFC.

Amanda Nunes heaps praise on the ability of Irene Aldana ahead of UFC 289

And issuing praise to the streaking finishing ahead of UFC 289, Nunes labelled Aldana as a real challenger to her throne, considering her one-sided rematch win over Peña back in July of last year at UFC 277.

“Honestly, this is the original opponent right there,” Amanda Nunes said of Irene Aldana at their UFC 289 pre-fight press conference. “…Now we are here with the real opponent. I’m very happy about it. Less heavy, as well, and I’m excited. After what I did with Julianna Peña in our last fight, there’s no question. So now [Aldana is] here, I’m every happy for her, and now we’re going to see each other soon.”

“Aldana is very, very tough,” Amanda Nunes explained. “She has heavy hands. So, she’s technical, and this is going to be so fun. I have heavy hands, as well. I’m well rounded, so you guys have to be excited for this.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

In the midst of a two-fight winning run, Aldana most recently finished both former featherweight title challenger, Yana Santos, as well as The Ultimate Fighter victor, Macy Chiasson with strikes – earning her short-notice title fight with Nunes this summer. 

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.” 

Amanda Nunes opens as huge betting favorite to defeat Irene Aldana in UFC 289 title showdown

Amanda Nunes opens as betting favorite to defeat Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in title fightSeeing a switch in opponent ahead of UFC 289 – undisputed two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes remains on course to headliner the pay-per-view event, and opens once more as a distinguished betting favorite ahead of a bantamweight title fight against Irene Aldana. Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight under the banner of the UFC, is […]

Amanda Nunes opens as betting favorite to defeat Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in title fight

Seeing a switch in opponent ahead of UFC 289 – undisputed two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes remains on course to headliner the pay-per-view event, and opens once more as a distinguished betting favorite ahead of a bantamweight title fight against Irene Aldana.

Nunes, the current undisputed bantamweight and featherweight under the banner of the UFC, is scheduled to headline UFC 289 on June 10. – taking on Mexican striker, Aldana at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – in the promotion’s pay-per-view return to ‘The Great White North’. 

Initially, Bahia bruiser, Nunes was scheduled to headline the flagship showcase against former champion, Julianna Peña, however, the Washington native suffered fractured ribs ahead of the trilogy rubber match, forcing the former bantamweight champion to withdraw from the title outing. 

And as for fan-favorite contender, Aldana, the Mexican puncher has since been pulled from a scheduled rematch with common-foe, Raquel Pennington later this month at the UFC Apex facility – in place of her premier title outing under the banner of the Dana White-led organization.

Opening as a sizeable betting favorite to land a victory over Aldana in June in the main event of UFC 289, Nunes is already available as high as a -550 betting favorite to defeat the former this summer – while the challenger opens as a massive +390 underdog ahead of the showcase.

Betting for the title matchup is already available within in numerous markets ahead of UFC 289, including best online casinos Canada – as Brazilian powerhouse opens as a comfortable betting favorite to remain queen of the bantamweights amid the beginning of her second title reign at in the division. 

Initially clinching undisputed bantamweight gold with a dominant first round win over former champion, Miesha Tate in a makeshift UFC 200 main event in July 2016, Nunes latched onto a first round rear-naked choke submission win – enjoying a stunning eight-fight winning run before her submission loss to the above-mentioned, Peña. 

Racking up victory after victory against elite competition at both the bantamweight and featherweight limit, Bahia native, Nunes has defeated Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie, Felicia Spencer, and Megan Anderson in championship fights during her tenure under the UFC banner.

Long-linked with an eventual championship tangle at the bantamweight since her UFC landing, Aldana, a former Invicta FC feature akin to Nunes, has landed notable victories over the likes of Bethe Correia, Vanessa Melo, and in spectacular fashion – stopped Kelten Vieira with a thunderous first round KO en route to a main event fight with common-foe, Holm. 

Both opening and closing as considerable betting favorites during the latter time of her UFC tenure, Nunes had closed as quite surprising underdogs for fights against the above-mentioned, Tate, Rousey, Shevchenko, and Cyborg – managing to land victories in each of those fights nevertheless. 

And despite her submission defeat to Peña back in 2021, the Brazilian had closed as a resounding -245 to reclaim the title last July, and had opened as a monstrous -700 to defeat the Washington native in a scheduled June trilogy rubber match this year prior to the clash’s cancellation. 

Julianna Peña suffers fractured ribs, Amanda Nunes now fights Irene Aldana in UFC 289 title clash

Amanda Nunes announces pregnancy ahead of UFC 289 fight Nina NunesFormer undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña has been forced from her championship trilogy rubber match with two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, at UFC 289 in June, after suffering fractured ribs. According to UFC president, Dana White, Peña, a former undisputed bantamweight titleholder, has withdrawn from her British Colombia, Canada fight with Amanda Nunes in June […]

Amanda Nunes announces pregnancy ahead of UFC 289 fight Nina Nunes

Former undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña has been forced from her championship trilogy rubber match with two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, at UFC 289 in June, after suffering fractured ribs.

According to UFC president, Dana White, Peña, a former undisputed bantamweight titleholder, has withdrawn from her British Colombia, Canada fight with Amanda Nunes in June – with the Brazilian now fighting Irene Aldana on the same UFC 289 card.

Rematching Bahia veteran, Amanda Nunes back in July of last year in the main event of UFC 277, Peña dropped her bantamweight title in a one-sided unanimous decision loss to the former, as she minted herself as a two-weight champion once again.

As for Aldana, the Lobo Gym mainstay has been pulled from a slated return against former title challenger, Raquel Pennington later this month at the UFC Apex facility, with a title fight against Nunes scrapping that rematch.

Amanda Nunes now fights Irene Aldana at UFC 289

Slated to now feature in her first title challenge under the banner of the UFC, Mexican contender, Aldana looks to join compatriots, Brandon Moreno, Yair Rodriguez, and Alexa Grasso as gold holders hailing from the country. 

First capturing Octagon gold in a stunning upset victory against Nunes back in December 2021, the above-mentioned, Ultimate Fighter winner, Peña had submitted the Brazilian with a stunning upset win back to win undisputed bantamweight spoils.

Challenging current featherweight champion, Nunes to boot at UFC 289 in June, Aldana rides an impressive two-fight winning streak into her summer title siege, handing stoppage defeats to both former title challenger, Yana Santos, and Macy Chiasson.

UFC 289 takes place on June 10. from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada – with Nunes’ title defense against Aldana headlining above a lightweight title-eliminator between former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush.

Stephen Thompson shuts down dream striking fight with Israel Adesanya, describes matchup as ‘Very difficult’

Stephen Thompson shuts down fight with Israel Adesanya very difficult UFCFormer two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has pumped the brakes on any sort of potential fight with two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya under the UFC banner in the future – describing the latter’s style as “very difficult”. Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December […]

Stephen Thompson shuts down fight with Israel Adesanya very difficult UFC

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has pumped the brakes on any sort of potential fight with two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya under the UFC banner in the future – describing the latter’s style as “very difficult”.

Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year, landing an eventual fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO victory over Kevin Holland. The win snapped Thompson’s two-fight losing skid to both Belal Muhammad, and Gilbert Burns.

Since then, Thompson has been booked to return at UFC 289 in June in Canada, taking on Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira in a pay-per-view main card clash.

Stephen Thompson shuts down potential fight with Israel Adesanya

Attempting to make one final push to the title having suffered a pair of championship fight losses to former gold holder, Tyron Woodley – Thompson dismissed the idea of a future fight with middleweight kingpin, Adesanya, noting his stature in comparison to other middleweights.

“It’s funny, because I’m not a big welterweight,” Stephen Thompson told MiddleEasy during a recent interview. “I probably walk around [at] 195 [pounds] at my heaviest. These guys are walking around like 220 [pounds]. I mean, I train with Chris Weidman; former middleweight champion and that dude is the strongest mama jama I have ever seen in my life.”

“I’ve stood beside ‘Stylebender’ (Israel Adesnya), he’s a good head taller than me,” Stephen Thompson explained. “I think it would be fun to train with him, maybe get a sparring match, but to fight that guy? I don’t know, man. That’s tough. I mean, with a guy that fights with range and he’s so good. But his range is so much father out than mine. He’s got the reach out of not just his legs, but his hands [as well]. And for me to get on the inside of that will be very, very difficult.” 

As for Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple most recently headlined UFC 287 earlier this month, reclaiming his title with a second round knockout win over Alex Pereira, which saw him land the undisputed middleweight for the second time in his Octagon tenure.

Expected to headline a pay-per-view return to Sydney, Australia for the UFC later this year, Adesanya has been lined up to fight either former foe, Robert Whittaker, or arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis next.

Amanda Nunes tipped to land dominant win over Julianna Peña at UFC 289: ‘I don’t think she has a lot for her’

Amanda Nunes backed to land another dominant win over Julianna Peña at UFC 289UFC bantamweight standout Jessica-Rose Clark believes Amanda Nunes will once again dominate Julianna Pena in the pair’s world title trilogy bout this summer. Pena shocked the world at UFC 269, scoring a second-round rear-naked choke submission against Amanda Nunes to capture the 135-pound crown. Seven months later, ‘The Lioness’ would exact revenge, reclaiming the bantamweight […]

Amanda Nunes backed to land another dominant win over Julianna Peña at UFC 289

UFC bantamweight standout Jessica-Rose Clark believes Amanda Nunes will once again dominate Julianna Pena in the pair’s world title trilogy bout this summer.

Pena shocked the world at UFC 269, scoring a second-round rear-naked choke submission against Amanda Nunes to capture the 135-pound crown. Seven months later, ‘The Lioness’ would exact revenge, reclaiming the bantamweight championship with a dominant 25-minute beating of the ‘Venezuelan Vixen.’ Despite the series being tied 1-1, fans were seemingly uninterested in seeing a third matchup between the two. However, that didn’t stop the promotion from bringing the fight together for its long-awaited return to Canada at UFC 289 on June 10.

Sharing her thoughts on the threequel in an interview with Combat Sports on Fanatics View, bantamweight fan-favorite Jessica-Rose Clark suggested that Nunes will walk out of Rogers Arena with UFC gold still wrapped around her waist.

“Honestly, I think it’s going to go the same way as the last one went,” Clark said. “Like, I don’t think Peña has a whole lot for Amanda when Amanda’s switched on. I don’t think many people have a whole lot for Amanda when Amanda is switched on, honestly.”

Jessica-Rose Clark will step back inside the Octagon to take on 5-2 fighter Tainara Lisboa at a UFC Fight Night event scheduled for May 13. The card is expected to emanate from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, and feature a high-stakes heavyweight main event clash between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida.

Despite the Loss to Julianna Pena, Many Still Consider Amanda Nunes the Greatest Female Fighter of All Time

Prior to the shocking loss, Amanda Nunes was on a 12-fight win streak that saw her dispatch the biggest names in women’s mixed martial arts history, including Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and Valentina Shevchenko on two separate occasions. Despite the defeat, many still consider ‘The Lioness’ to be the greatest female fighter in the history of the sport.

On the other side of the coin is Julianna Pena, an 11-5 fighter who has scored notable wins over Jessica Eye, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann. Her 2021 win over Amanda Nunes was dubbed by multiple major news outlets, including LowKick MMA, as the Upset of the Year.

Can Julianna Pena shock the world once again on June 10 or will Amanda Nunes continue to dominate the world of women’s MMA? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.