The UFC women's bantamweight title change in December 2021 comes as a huge surprise to the MMA world. The hitherto unchallenged title holder Nunes is defeated by the challenger Peña. In the rematch, the best fighter in UFC history reclaims the belt in impressive fashion.
The double champion is back: Amanda Nunes has won the women's bantamweight title rematch against American Juliana Peña. In the main fight of UFC 277 in the US city of Dallas, the renewed cage duel went the full distance, but the referees decided on points clearly for Nunes (50-45, 50-43, 50-44). The mixed martial arts fighter again holds two titles in the Ultimate Championship Fighting (UFC).
In contrast to the first meeting in December 2021, when Peña surprisingly dethroned the Brazilian after six years without defeat, the "lioness" Nunes looked much fresher and more precise in her attacks that evening. While Peña was able to surprise with stormy advances in the first fight, this time Nunes showed in round one that she has the right counterattacks up her sleeve. The Americans caught several clean hits with punches and leg kicks.
In the second round, the former title holder scored the strongest hits with left and right hooks. She spectacularly knocked Peña to the ground three times. However, the challenger refrained from pursuing and shifting the fight to the ground. In terms of points, the Brazilian was two laps ahead of the title holder.
In the following two rounds, Peña tried to turn the fight on the ground. While all attempts at a submission hold fizzled out in round three, the already clearly marked American was able to use a deep arm lock in the fourth round. However, the experienced Nunes managed to get out of this dangerous situation.
The blood-covered Peña also lacked the means to endanger Nunes' victory in the final round. However, the 32-year-old showed resilience and a strong chin over the entire 25 minutes. She was even able to fend off a submission by the Brazilian in the final seconds of the round.
In the end there was a dominant points victory for Nunes, who celebrated exuberantly in the ring with her daughter. "If the lioness doesn't get her prey the first time, she'll do it the second time," said the new bantamweight champion. The most successful fighter in UFC history concluded by asking the crowd to bring her a beer. That was also the case when we marched out of the hall.
