Return of the Double Champ: Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena Will Fight at UFC 265

A Brilliant Bantamweight Battle Between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena

Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes (21-4, 14-4 UFC) returns to defend her bantamweight belt for the sixth time in her career. We last saw the double champ in action at UFC 259, when she defended her featherweight title against Megan Anderson. Nunes came away with an inverted triangle arm-bar in the first round.

The last time “The Lioness” appeared at bantamweight was back in 2019 at UFC 245. Nunes was dominant over her opponent Germaine de Randamie throughout the five rounds and won the fight via a unanimous decision. Nunes is considered the greatest female fighter of all time and is currently on a 12-fight win streak. She was last defeated by Cat Zingano in 2014 at UFC 178.

Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Pena (10-4, 6-2 UFC) has been granted her wish with a shot at the title. The Ultimate Fighter season 18 winner will be competing in her first UFC title bout at 31 years of age.

Pena was scheduled to face Holly Holm at UFC on ESPN 24, but Holm pulled out due to an injury. Her last victory came this year at UFC 257 when she submitted Sara McMann via a rear-naked choke. Pena has defeated the likes of Jessica Eye and Zingano in her UFC career. She’s also been finished two times in the promotion, with Valentina Shevchenko and de Randamie submitting her.

With Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena the first bout announced for UFC 265, you can expect many more fights to be announced in the coming weeks.

Who do you see winning between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!

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