Amanda Nunes reclaims UFC bantamweight title with unanimous decision victory over Julianna Pena | News MMA
Amanda Nunes reclaims the UFC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Julianna Pena in Dallas.
The Brazilian’s five-year reign was ended by Pena last December, but Nunes avenged the loss with a stellar game before moving the fight to the decisive stage and surviving. after some dangerous submission attempts.
Fighting out of Southpaw, the 34-year-old dropped Pena three times in the second round – twice with her right hand and once with her left hand – as her opponent struggled to find her range. .
Nunes had a knockout streak in the last three innings and spent most of her time at the top, but she had to survive a threatening attempt in an armbar submission in the middle of the fourth round when Pena fought desperately with Nunes raining down elbows on top of her.
The judges rewarded Nunes with a unanimous decision to add a bantamweight belt to her featherweight title as she regained her two-weight reigning title.
“I know Julianna is difficult,” Nunes said.
“I’ve done everything. Now I’ve got the belt (again) and I’m going to keep going. This is just what I have to do. Keep going. I’ve done all I can. I very happy.”
In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno scored a third-round TKO goal against Kai Kara-France set up with a thunderous kick to the body to claim the interim flyweight title. The Mexican will now face Deiveson Figueredo for the undisputed title.