Julianna Peña claps back at Daniel Cormier for saying she doesn’t deserve a trilogy with UFC champ Amanda Nunes.
[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] has clapped back at [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] for saying she doesn’t deserve a trilogy with Amanda Nunes.
Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who dethroned bantamweight champion Nunes with a stunning upset submission at UFC 269, lost their rematch at UFC 277 by decision. Although a bloodied-up Peña showed a lot of heart, she was battered for 25 minutes.
On his “DC & RC” ESPN show, Cormier said Peña’s lopsided loss to Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) didn’t warrant an immediate rematch. But Peña begs to differ, taking a shot at the former UFC dual champion.
“You’re saying that my work doesn’t warrant it? I’m the first ever woman to win ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ I’ve torn four out of five ligaments in my knee and came back from that, actually both knees, I gave birth and had a baby and came back from that,” Peña said while working the desk as an analyst for ESPN.
“I have been clawing and scratching my way to the top and been in this division since 2013 when they first allowed women to join the UFC, and I did everything that I said I was going to do leading up to that fight. DC, you’ve had 10 title fights, bro. Like, why are you hating on me for wanting to get a trilogy fight? Ten! I think that’s the most title fights in UFC history. I mean, come on, dude. Like, don’t block me out, dude.”
When Peña immediately rematched Nunes, she hoped to show that she wasn’t lucky in their first fight. But with the series now tied at one-a-piece, Peña thinks a trilogy should be next.
“Your pinnacle of getting to the top is winning the belt and fighting and clawing your way to get there,” Peña said. “So I did that. I got to check that off, but it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to give this immediate rematch to prove it wasn’t a fluke, and I ran out of time. I don’t have a fight scheduled, I know Amanda doesn’t have a fight scheduled, and I think a trilogy fight is what the fans want to see.”
Check out these photos from the UFC 269 co-main event between women’s bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena.
Check out the best photos from UFC 269‘s co-main event which saw [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, dethroning Amana Nunes for the women’s bantamweight title.
(Photos by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images, Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports)
Cody Garbrandt is open to both flyweight and bantamweight after UFC 269.
[autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] is open to both flyweight and bantamweight after UFC 269.
In his flyweight debut, Garbrandt (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) suffered a first-round TKO loss to Kai Kara-France at UFC 269, but the former bantamweight champion insists he physically felt good despite shedding an extra 10 pounds.
Garbrandt hit the flyweight mark with no issues at weigh-ins and still potentially sees 125 pounds in his foreseeable future.
“The camp was great, felt good, the weight cut was amazing,” Garbrandt said on his “Rollin with the Homies” podcast. “Rehydration, refuel process was good, I felt great at 125. I just got caught with a good punch in there and I just couldn’t recover. After I got hit with the punch, got back up, kinda felt OK to where I was moving, coming forward, but I still wasn’t like all there and then I took him down, and then we got into a scramble and came back to our feet and it just felt like I was on a slant.
“I was like damn, I’m still not recovered. He brought the pressure and he brought the combinations and was able to capitalize so hats off to him. He was able to do his job and I still feel like 25 is a great weight for me. I love what I was able to do inside the camp. What I’m taking away from this past camp or the last six months of getting the weight down or three months of camp that we did was just the positive stuff from it.”
With Garbrandt’s name and early success at bantamweight which led to a UFC title, “No Love” is also open to a move back up to his original weight class.
One name that stands out is [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag], who’s not only continuously called him out, but even got in his face at the UFC 269 pre-fight press conference. O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) competed on the same night as Garbrandt, stopping his teammate Raulian Paiva in the first round.
“Like I said, I felt great at 125,” Garbrandt said. “I think that’s something I have to decide, whether I – 35, 25, I feel great at both. I think if I went to 35, I would do things a little differently. Keep my weight up throughout the camp.”
He continued, “There’s a lot of good matchups. Sean O’Malley, I really want to whoop his ass. That’s a fight that’s looming. Hopefully, that could possibly be my next one. I want that fight so I’d like to stay at 35. He might fight me now because I’m not in the rankings at 35 and he’s ranked so that’ll be a good fight. You got to respect his skills, he leveled up a little bit with the Raulian fight, caught him early on, but we know that. The only way he was gonna win was catching him early on and he did that. He did his job, hats off to him. He’s now in the rankings so I have to go back up to 35 and whoop his ass, but we’ll decide, we’ll figure it out.”
After an unbeaten start to his pro MMA career, including a masterclass over Dominick Cruz to capture the UFC bantamweight title, Garbrandt has gone 1-5 in his past six fights. It’s a rough spot for the 30-year-old, but Garbrandt is far from done and won’t let the naysayers bring him down.
“When it’s over, I say it’s over,” Garbrandt said. “Not the fans, not Dana, not anybody but me. When I know and I understand that I don’t have it anymore, I don’t have what it takes to push myself and train to be prepared to go out there and give my best shot to win, then I’ll be done. I can honestly say that, and I have a good support system around me that’ll be like, ‘Look, let’s look at something else.’ But that’s so far down the road. I’m 30 years old, I still have a lot left in the tank to do. We’ll make the corrections, we’ll figure it out.”
Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here. Tune in!
Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.
On Episode 3,219, the fellas look back at UFC Fight Night 199, discuss what should be next for Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, talk about if Dana White should be bothered by what Jake Paul said after knocking out Tyron Woodley, Jon Jones going at Chael Sonnen, and much more. Tune in!
Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.
John Kavanagh doesn’t think anyone should be discrediting UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira anymore.
[autotag]John Kavanagh[/autotag] doesn’t think anyone should be discrediting UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] anymore.
In his first title defense, Oliveira submitted Dustin Poirier in this past Saturday’s UFC 269 main event, rallying once again to score the finish.
Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) has been questioned about his toughness by the likes of Justin Gaethje and others, but Kavanagh, [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s head coach, thinks it’s about time people put respect on the champ’s name.
“What is he now? Ten wins in a row, most of them being finishes,” Kavanagh told MMA Junkie. “His standup is getting sharp now. He’s got wrestling. He knocked out Chandler then submitted Dustin. If anybody’s doubting Charles at this stage, they got to check themselves. That guy is legitimate, he’s the world champion, he’s a great fighter, and who knows, maybe we meet him down the road.”
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) already has expressed interest in challenging Oliveira for the title, sending the Brazilian a message after his win over Poirier.
McGregor is coming off back-to-back stoppage losses to Poirier and despite UFC president Dana White declaring Gaethje the No. 1 contender, the Irish superstar has called his shot for the title regardless. Kavanagh gave an update on McGregor’s leg injury, and he expects him to return to competition by next summer.
Miesha Tate’s career aspirations have been directly impacted by Julianna Peña’s title win over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.
[autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag] might make a dramatic career adjustment on the heels of [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag]’s epic title win over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.
Tate (19-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC), a former UFC and Strikeforce champion who is a good friend and occasional training partner of new women’s bantamweight titleholder Peña (11-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC), has designs on getting a world title back around her waist before re-retiring from active competition. If she was going to do that, it was long believed she needed to go through Nunes (21-5 MMA, 14-2 UFC), who took the belt from her at UFC 200 in July 2016 and held it until this past weekend.
But then Peña pulled off what many viewed as an unthinkable upset, submitting Nunes in the second round as a gigantic betting underdog. The pair are expected to rematch in 2022, and the outcome of that fight is likely to play a big role in how Tate proceeds with her own career, as she’s not particularly keen on fighting Peña.
Tate, who is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 198 in November, said a number of things have to fall in place before a matchup with Peña becomes a realistic discussion, but if push comes to shove, she said she would rather change weight classes and move down to women’s flyweight before having to share the octagon with her friend.
“This definitely changes the entire landscape of the bantamweight division,” Tate told MMA Junkie. “I think what will be next will be Amanda and Julie. All signs point to that will be the next fight and I think Julie wins that fight again, especially because Amanda has already been broken by her once. I believe Julianna can definitely do that again, probably with more ease the second time. I need to get in the win column again so I will probably fight in March, probably is what I’m looking at. I don’t want to fight Julie because I’ve rooted for so long for her to get there.
“A lot can change between now and then, so I have to win and do my job so I think what really I’ve got to do is win and focus on that. If Julie’s still the champion by the time that I get there, then I think that’s a conversation we have at that time. I’ve probably got to get two wins until I’m looking at a championship fight, at least, so I’ve got to focus on me and I’m going to continue to cheer on Julie and pray that we don’t ever have to fight each other.
“I know that Julianna can make 125 and I can make 125. There’s also those things too. It’s not out of the question for either of us to go hunting Valentina (Shevchenko) at some point. There’s lots of dynamics. I know she really wants that fight too so we’d have to see what happens if everything continues to play out in that direction, there’s always that possibility of us going to 125 for either of us too.”
Tate, 35, said a simple change in weight doesn’t necessarily erase any crossover with Peña, who apparently also has designs at fighting at 125 pounds at some point in the future. It could be the logical career move if the stars align, but Tate said it’s not going to happen right away.
According to Tate, cutting an additional 10 pounds would require a lifestyle change, and it’s not one she’s chomping at the bit to make at this particular moment. She also doesn’t want to flee fighting at women’s bantamweight after suffering a loss, so Tate said she wants to get back on the winning track before making a final decision.
“It’s something I’ve definitely thought about, but I definitely don’t want people thinking that I’m running at 135,” Tate said. “I hate the idea of leaving a division on a loss. It really bugs me. Something really bothers me about that, leaving the division on a loss. It’s something I’ve thought about, but at the same time, I feel like I need more time to digest all of that. It’s not out of the question by any means, but it would be a long process to get down to 125. I’ve been pretty vocal that I’m not a fan of big weight cuts, so I would probably have to do some things to change my body to get down to that weight, but it’s not something that’s way out in left field.
“It’s definitely something I feel like it would be an option. I just have to decide to. I’m definitely leaning toward staying at 135 especially given the change-ups, but it’s definitely not something out of the question.”
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Although Peña’s title win adds some complications to Tate’s own pursuit of the belt, “Cupcake” said she couldn’t be more proud of her friend. She said prior to UFC 269 that Peña had a very good chance of dethroning Nunes, but many dismissed her opinion as biased due to her relationship with the now-champion.
Tate said she ranks Peña’s win as the second-biggest upset in UFC history behind Holly Holm’s stunning knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in November 2015. Peña’s game plan for Nunes couldn’t have been any better executed, Tate said, and she thinks the Brazilian folded under the pressure and attack that Peña brought to the table.
“Amanda realized that Julie was not going away – she was going to make it a fight no matter where this fight was, and Amanda lost the will to win,” Tate said. “I don’t even think it was necessarily so much of a fatigue thing. Sure she was probably feeling a little tired. I’m sure Amanda’s been a lot more tired than she was that little bit into Round 2.
“It was the fact that Julie has no respect – that might be the wrong word – in the fight she had no time for Amanda. She knew Amanda was going to hit her back and she knew, ‘I will make this a fight. I do not respect you any more than any woman on this planet. I’m your equal tonight.’ Amanda realized that, and once she realized that, the aura that is Amanda was not that to Julie. Julie didn’t believe Amanda was larger than life. Julie did not believe Amanda was going to knock her out with the right hand. She didn’t think Amanda was anything more special than what she brought. When Amanda realized that too, Amanda broke mentally.”
While Tate acknowledges that Nunes may very well be the better athlete between the two fighters, it was Peña’s mental toughness that overcame any physical advantages during the fight.
“I don’t think it was as much fatigue as some people are calculating,” Tate said. “I think it was all (in her head). Julie had a bigger dog in her. Much bigger. Amanda might be more technically sound, she might be the better athlete, she might be more powerful. There might be a lot of things you could say perhaps that Amanda has over Julie, but it’s not heart and it’s not will and it’s not desire and it’s not discipline, because Julianna is truly one of the hardest-working women.”
Joe Rogan says the way Julianna Peña made Amanda Nunes quit “was crazy.”
Joe Rogan gives credit to [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] for her upset of [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] but not without some criticism for the now-former UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
“For you to be a world champion in two divisions and universally recognized as the greatest woman fighter of all time, which Amanda is, it’s inexcusable to be that tired in the second round,” Rogan said on his “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast.
Last Saturday at UFC 269, Peña forced Nunes to tap to a rear-naked choke 3:53 into the second round to claim the 135-pound title. The finish came after Peña engaged in a slugfest with the hard-hitting Nunes, who’s known for her knockout power. Peña hung in there, took some of Nunes’ best shots, but also delivered her own to hurt her, tire her out and drag her to the mat, which led to a quick tapout from Nunes.
Rogan, who called the fight cageside, was shocked by what transpired – even if he had the slightest belief it was possible based on the pre-fight talk between Peña and Nunes.
“The thing is, one thing I did say leading up to the fight, as they were getting ready, you have to think of all the times where someone has underestimated someone,” Rogan said. “You can never underestimate an opponent. You can’t go into a fight not nervous. You can’t go into a fight completely sure you’re gonna win when that other person is hungry and scared, because weird things happen when people underestimate people. But f*ck, that was nuts.”
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Rogan said that he first thought Peña could be “very dangerous” when she tried a Kimura in the first round. As the fight wore on, Nunes kept throwing everything behind her punches, which Rogan believes was her downfall.
“She was swinging for the fences,” Rogan said. “She was trying to take her out quick and then when Julianna was still there, you could tell she was f*cking tired. For you to be a world champion in two divisions and universally recognized as the greatest woman fighter of all time, which Amanda is, it’s inexcusable to be that tired in the second round. And just standing in front of her, just swinging in front of her, no movement side to side, standing right in front of her like you’re watching a regional fight.”
Still, Rogan gives credit where credit is due.
“It was caused by Julianna,” Rogan said. “Julianna made her quit. She didn’t just quit on her own. You’ve got to give Julianna all the credit. … Yeah, she made her quit. But the way she made her quit was crazy. No hooks, choke wasn’t on at all. It was on the chin. … She was exhausted. She quit.”
“I really want they both win and they fight end of the next year.”
[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] wants to see a title fight between [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] and [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] materialize by the end of 2022.
Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) retained his lightweight title this past Saturday when he submitted Dustin Poirier in the UFC 269 headliner and is projected to face Justin Gaethje next.
Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is booked to face Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Feb. 26, and Nurmagomedov is hoping the stars align and both Oliveira and Makhachev emerge victorious in their respective bouts.
“Right now is Charles Oliveira time,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “He impressed me, and I really believe he is one of the best fighters in the world right now and best lightweight in the world. It’s going to be very interesting fight if next fight Islam wins and Charles wins, and they’re going to fight end of the next year. It’s going to be a great fight.
“It’s going to be a little bit like Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib, you know – Islam vs. Charles Oliveira. They both win. Right now, (Oliveira) has (a) 10-(fight) win streak. If Islam wins next fight, Islam is going to have 10-win streak. And 11-win streak, Charles Oliveira – it’s going to be great, great fight for both of them and for UFC for sure. I really (hope) they both win and they fight end of the next year.”
Nurmagomedov had picked Poirier to beat Oliveira, but after “The Diamond” failed for a second time in his bid for undisputed gold, Nurmagomedov put his promoter hat on when discussing his future.
“Just call me. I’m going to sign Dustin Poirier to Eagle FC 165 (division),” Nurmagomedov said. “Dustin can fight in 170 – it’s a little bit hard to make 155. Of course he always made it, but it’s going to be good for him, 165. If UFC release him, Khabib (is) here always with Eagle FC. We’re going to sign him. We can make some charity stuff together. Let’s go, Dustin.”
Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here. Tune in!
Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.
On Episode 3,218, the fellas look ahead to Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 199. Plus, they discuss a possible Dustin Poirier-Nate Diaz fight; Kayla Harrison’s war of words with Julianna Peña; Kevin Lee’s signing with Eagle FC; and more. Tune in!
Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.
Check out the super slow motion highlights from UFC 269, including clips of Julianna Peña’s title-winning upset of Amanda Nunes.
[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] did the unthinkable when she conquered the greatest female fighter of all time.
A massive underdog heading into the fight, Peña (11-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) challenged dual-champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 14-2 UFC) for the bantamweight title in the co-main event of UFC 269. The first round was all Nunes, but just like Peña said she would do, she poured on the pressure in Round 2, backing Nunes up with combinations.
The champion started to slow down and as soon as Peña took her down, she was able to cinch in a rear-naked choke and submit Nunes to win the title in one of the greatest upsets in UFC history.
In the main event, [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) retained his lightweight belt by submitting [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC), but just like his title-winning performance against Michael Chandler, it didn’t come without adversity.
Oliveira was dropped by Poirier in Round 1, but the Brazilian was able to weather the early storm and take over the fight. After controlling Poirier on the ground in Round 2, the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes and submission wins tapped out Poirier with a standing rear-naked choke in Round 3.
You can watch it all unfold in super slow motion in the UFC 269 “Fight Motion” video highlights above.
