Here’s a question. How did the G.O.A.T. of women’s MMA suffer defeat from a Bantamweight underdog who began her UFC career just two years after the champ?
Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña planned to remain on the offense to get Amanda Nunes tired in the Octagon at UFC 269 in December 2021, and she did what she set out to do.
However, Peña’s celebration as the new Bantamweight Champion ended in less than a year. Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes returned with a roar at UFC 277 in July 2022 in a second bout against The Venezuelan Vixen and took the Bantamweight Belt back.
A potential trilogy fight between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña would be something that fans wish to see. How did this belt-snatching game happen between a lioness and a vixen?
Let’s evaluate their past bouts and what could happen during their trilogy fight. When you’re watching the next UFC event at home or in-person, consider casino777 to have some fun in between fight breaks. Remember to bet wisely!
Table of Contents
The First Bout
Amanda Nunes (22-5) was on a winning streak of 12 fights in a row since UFC Fight Night in March 2015. The bout against Julianna Peña (12-5) at UFC 269 on December 11, 2021, would have been her 13th undefeated bout. However, the tides turned against Nunes’ favor when Peña submitted her in the second round via rear-naked choke.
Fans consider Nunes the G.O.A.T. amongst women’s MMA fighters. She was a two-time women’s MMA champion. Her win against Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in 2016 helped her win the Bantamweight Belt. The Lioness defeated Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 in 2018 and earned the Featherweight Belt.
Nunes losing against Peña came as a surprise to everyone when in the blink of an eye, her Bantamweight Belt was turned over to Peña. This was one of the seven title defenses between the Flyweight Division and the Bantamweight Division, which is the most for a female fighter in MMA history.
Peña achieved first-time glory as an underdog capturing the Bantamweight Belt from Nunes. However, this unexpected upset did not bode well for Nunes who is used to greatness but felt mediocrity for the first time in seven years.
The Second Bout
Experts and fans speculate that Nunes may have lost her edge because of her new maternal responsibilities. Amanda and her wife, Nina Nunes (a Strawweight Division fighter in the UFC) welcomed their first child, Raegan Ann Nunes, on September 24, 2020. Besides being the G.O.A.T. of women’s MMA, Amanda Nunes is also the first openly lesbian’s fighter in the UFC, which has broken down social barriers.
UFC commentators remarked that Nunes looked in better shape and much more prepared for UFC 277 than UFC 269. Nunes’ Southpaw position knocked Peña down five times along with other successive takedowns. Julianna’s striking tactics could not best Peña’s change from Conventional to Southpaw fighting style.
The Venezuelan Vixen is champion-material that defended the Bantamweight Belt well and withstood 25 minutes in the octagon against The Lioness. However, the judges’ decision allowed Nunes to regain her Bantamweight championship belt.
The Desired Trilogy Fight
Nunes vs. Peña 2 happened in less than a year after their first bout. Now the dynamic of the lion and fox chase has commenced. The Vixen took the belt from the Lioness in UFC 269. The Lioness struck back to reclaim the belt in UFC 277. Will the Vixen come back for the Bantamweight Belt with cunning tactics to regain the belt or will the Queen of the Jungle defend her belt with fangs bared?
Peña and Nunes both take calculated steps in the octagon on the offensive and defensive. Nunes may keep her new Southpaw stance to keep Peña on her toes. Perhaps Peña will change up her stance to surprise Nunes as well.
Perhaps the trilogy fight will happen within a few upcoming UFC events as everything is still in the works. It may take some time to see the Nunes vs. Peña bout because a Nunes vs. Shevchenko trilogy is also trending as a UFC topic.
