The second time proved to be the charm for Amanda Nunes. Months after losing the UFC women’s bantamweight title shockingly, Nunes battered Julianna Peña en route to a unanimous decision. After five exciting rounds of intense action, the three judges sitting cage side delivered the following scores: 50-45, 50-44 and 50-43.
“Tonight, it was proven that was a lucky day for her,” Nunes said after regaining the bantamweight title.
“If she needed to become a champion like that, she had her time and now it’s over.”
Prior to losing her bantamweight title, Nunes held the unique distinction of having defeated every fighter who ever held the UFC women’s bantamweight or featherweight belts. On Saturday night, she was able to regain that distinction by dropping Peña three times in the second round, landing vicious elbows and nearly securing a rear-naked choke.
“Julianna is tough as nails,” UFC President Dana White said after the match.
“Her will to win is second to none. She wanted to win. As dominant as Amanda was, and she was dominant tonight — I don’t think it was close in any way, shape or form; I thought it was a complete shutout — she still looked a little gun shy to me.”
White went on to say that Peña was transported to the hospital after the fight in order to receive treatment. It is unclear when she’ll be able to return to the ring. As for Nunes, she’s already indicated that a third fight with UFC women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko would not be a bad idea.
AMANDA NUNES REGAINS HER CHAMP-CHAMP STATUS ? ? #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/SDpeLC0wQG
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
