LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Julianna Pena[/autotag] is prepared to give [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] a rematch after claiming women’s bantamweight gold in the UFC 269 co-main event.
Pena (11-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) pulled off an all-time title-fight upset Saturday when she scored a second-round submission of Nunes (21-5 MMA, 14-2 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena. The pre-fight support for the challenger from fans and pundits was minimal, but she had the utmost confidence she’d be able to get the job done.
The only thing more surprising than Pena winning was the method in which she got it done. She landed hard shots on Nunes early in the second round before getting it to the ground and locking in a rear-naked choke, and Pena said it was a testament to her well-rounded ability.
“Everybody thinks I am just only versed on the ground or that I’m just a ground person, but in mixed martial arts you have to be versed everywhere,” Pena told MMA Junkie and other media at the UFC 269 post-fight news conference. “On the feet, in the clinch and I’m confident on the ground. Wherever the fight goes I’m comfortable.
“Amanda’s been such a great champion and she’s done so much for the sport, so for me to take down arguably the greatest of all time is something that’s still sinking in right now.”
Even before she stepped in the octagon at UFC 269, Pena said the future after a title win would include an immediate rematch with “The Lioness.” She’s sticking firm to that notion and said she’ll be ready to fight again as soon as her damaged eye recovers and she spends some quality time with her daughter.
“We can do it next, I’m free next month, two months from now – whenever they want to do it I’m ready,” Pena said. “If she wants to do a rematch, we can do a rematch.”
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