UFC 277: Amanda Nunes dominates Julianna Pena, reclaims double champ status

Amanda Nunes reclaimed her UFC bantamweight belt, her double champ status, and her reputation as the greatest female fighter of all time in one fell swoop on Saturday night.

“The Lioness” dominated Julianna Pena from bell to bell in the main event of UFC 277 at American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas, racking up as dominant a unanimous decision as you will see in a UFC title fight.

“Now we are here making history again. Double champion again, baby. Let’s go,” 34-year-old Brazilian Nunes told UFC commentator Joe Rogan in a post-fighter interview in the Octagon.

The judges’ scorecards said it all – 50-45, 50-44, and 50-43 – as she consigned December’s stunning upset defeat by “The Venezuelan Vixen” to history.

Nunes (22-5) put her improved performance and renewed confidence down to the tough decision to walk away from her long-time training home at American Top Team in Florida, and open her own gym with her partner and UFC strawweight Nina Nunes.

“It’s one of the best things I did,” she said. “In my gym, I feel it’s safe. I feel I can grow even more. I really evolved even more.”

Nunes executed a great game plan, utilising a southpaw stance and a check left hook, which repeatedly wobbled Pena (12-5) early. Her conditioning was also on point – she was much leaner and more muscular than in their last outing, when she claimed she was out of shape after a battle with Covid-19.

“This adjustment was simple,” Nunes said. “I was supposed to do this the first time, but I told you guys, I wasn’t ready for that.”

Nunes dropped Pena several times in the first two rounds, but let the referee stand her back up, knowing full well the 32-year-old Venezuelan-American’s guard was too dangerous to jump into so early.

She eventually switched things up and took her opponent down at will, escaping a couple of tight arm bar attempts with some great defence and incredible resolve.

“My coaches definitely made my jiu jitsu even better, that showed tonight,” Nunes said.

By the end, Pena’s face was a swollen mess, with a badly cut eye, and she was transported to hospital after the fight, while Nunes celebrated in style by chugging a beer on the way out.

“She’s earned several cold ones,” commentator Jon Anik said, aptly.

Despite being so one-sided, it was still one of the most entertaining bantamweight title fights in UFC history, with Pena refusing to quit. But Nunes showed she is the top dog, once again, coming up big when her legacy was on the line.

“Let me go back to Brazil – I’ve not seen my gamily for three years because of the pandemic,” she said. “I stayed here to focus on getting the belt back. Now I need a bit of rest.

“I know you guys want to see me back, but come on, let ‘The Lioness’ rest a little bit and I will come back as soon as possible.”