Tag: UFC 289

UFC free fight: Irene Aldana secures UFC 289 title shot with historic upkick KO to the body

Irene Aldana’s first UFC championship opportunity will come on the heels of a historic knockout.

[autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag]’s first UFC championship opportunity will come on the heels of a historic knockout.

Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is set to challenge Amanda Nunes (22-5 MMA, 15-2 UFC) for the women’s bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 289, which takes place June 10 at Rogers Center in Vancouver with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The Mexican will enter the event on the power of four victories in her past five fights, the most memorable of which came in her most recent bout at UFC 279 this past September. Aldana put Macy Chiasson away in the third round with the only knockout in UFC history stemming from an upkick from bottom position.

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It was a shocking result when Aldana flailed her legs to the midsection of Chiasson while on her back and landed a shot clean to the liver that folded her opponent for the ultra-rare finish.

Aldana will need that same type of magic if she hopes to dethrone Nunes at UFC 289, because she’s currently a sizable betting underdog just over two weeks from the event.

Before UFC 289 rolls around, the UFC has release the full fight video of Aldana’s stoppage of Chiasson, which can be seen above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

UFC betting odds: Champions enter summer title fights as sizable favorites

According to the latest betting odds, there aren’t any UFC title changes expected across multiple events this summer.

The UFC’s summer schedule is essentially laid out at this point, with a number of championship fights confirmed between the start of June and end of August.

A total of six title bouts are currently on the books, but according to the latest betting odds courtesy of FanDuel, there aren’t expected to a be a whole lot of surprises stemming from the results.

Odds still haven’t been released for a pair of title fights, but you can check below to see where the numbers stand for title bouts at UFC 289, UFC 290, UFC 291 and UFC 292.

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Analyst: ‘Massive force’ Irene Aldana will upset champ Amanda Nunes at UFC 289

UFC Hall of Famer and analyst Rashad Evans expects a third title change at women’s bantamweight over the past three fights at UFC 289.

UFC Hall of Famer and analyst [autotag]Rashad Evans[/autotag] expects a third title change in the women’s bantamweight division over the past three fights at UFC 289.

With [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] set to challenge [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] for 135-pound gold in the main event of the June 10 pay-per-view at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Evans is predicting another title change, with the underdog challenger taking out the champion.

“I’ve got to go with Aldana,” Evans said during a recent UFC post-fight show on ESPN+. “Mexico’s on the surge, but Aldana, she’s such a massive force. She seems so big in there and that left hook, oh my God. Absolutely she catches her (on the feet).”

Nunes (22-5 MMA, 15-2 UFC) will attempt to make the first defense of her second women’s bantamweight title reign against Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) at UFC 289. After losing the belt to Julianna Peña in a shocking upset at UFC 269 in December 2021, Nunes reclaimed gold in one-sided fashion at UFC 277 in July.

She’ll try to reassert her dominance over the division against Aldana, who has won four of hr past five fights and is riding the momentum of Mexican UFC title success, with teammate Alexa Grasso and countrymen Brandon Moreno and Yair Rodriguez holding pieces of belts.

“The energy there is just on another level so you kind of start to level up to everyone around you,” Evans said. “And I feel like that’s where Aldana is.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

‘Hit me up!’: Matt Schnell hopes he gets to work with Brandon Moreno ahead of UFC 289

Matt Schnell welcomes the opportunity to train with UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.

DALLAS – [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag] welcomes the opportunity to train with UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag].

Both currently training at Fortis MMA in Dallas, Schnell has a long history with Moreno. Although they’ve never fought, Schnell and Moreno took part in Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and have trained with each other in the past.

Schnell (16-7-1 MMA, 6-5-1 UFC) is booked to face David Dvorak (20-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC 289 on June 10 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and would love the chance to train with Moreno (21-6-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC) in preparation.

“Me and Moreno, we’re familiar with each other,” Schnell told MMA Junkie. “He’s brought me out to Mexico City. We have a little bit of a rapport, so no beef. It should be fun. We get good work in. He’s tough and scrappy and in great shape. I look forward to it. Hit me up! I want to know when he’s coming out to Dallas because I’d like to be here for sure.”

Like Schnell, Dvorak will look to rebound at UFC 289. Dvorak is on a two-fight skid, but prior to that was unbeaten for nine years, which Schnell thinks will make him even more hungry.

“David Dvorak: tough opponent – a guy that was really hot,” Schnell said. “He’s lost his last two, but I think that makes him kind of dangerous. It’s an exciting matchup and I look forward to it.”

Schnell has earned Fight of the Night bonuses in two of his past three bouts. He thinks his exciting style should be telling of the kind of fight fans can expect against Dvorak.

“I think it’s going to be a tough one,” Schnell said. “I think it’s going to be a grind. If I remember, they kind of released the card inadvertently. I think they put me on a good spot. I think I’m headlining that prelim card, which is the right spot for a guy like me. Good job by the guys in the back office. It’s going to be exactly what they think it’s going to be. It’s going to be a scrap.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

Amanda Nunes plans to keep defending UFC featherweight title: ‘I’m a double champion for a reason’

Dual-champion Amanda Nunes vows to continue defending her UFC women’s featherweight title.

NEWARK, N.J. – UFC dual champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] vows to continue defending her women’s featherweight title.

Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) hasn’t defended the 145-pound title since a first-round submission of Megan Anderson in March 2021. She later lost the bantamweight title to Julianna Peña at UFC 269, then avenged her loss to Peña to reclaim the belt at UFC 277.

With their series tied 1-1, Nunes was set to face Peña once more in a rubber match in the UFC 289 headliner June 10, but Peña withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC). So where does that leave the featherweight division? Nunes says that’s still in her plans.

“Definitely,” Nunes said at a pre-fight news conference for UFC 289. “I take everything step by step. My next opponent is obviously right here next to me, so I’ve got to be focused on her and everything, but definitely (I will defend the featherweight title). I’m a double champion for a reason, baby. I’m going to keep defending these two belts (until) my body tells me to stop. I feel healthy, I feel good, I feel happy.”

Norma Dumont (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) recently expressed her frustration at Nunes’ inactivity as featherweight champion. Dumont has been booked against Chelsea Chandler (5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a featherweight bout at a UFC event July 15 in what could be a No. 1 contender bout.

Nunes didn’t guarantee defending her featherweight belt is next after Aldana, but “The Lioness” said she’ll do whatever the UFC decides for her.

“Whatever the UFC wants to do,” Nunes said. “I feel like we might have a 145-pound opponent soon, and let’s see how it’s going to play out. Whatever happens, the UFC decides. It’s not my final decision, but I’m going to be there. Whoever is going to step in front of me, I’m going to be there. Whatever, who else, I’m going to be defending my belt.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

Irene Aldana: Sharing octagon with Amanda Nunes at UFC 289 ‘already the biggest accomplishment ever’

Irene Aldana is honored that her first UFC bantamweight title opportunity is coming against Amanda Nunes.

NEWARK, N.J. – [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] is honored that her first UFC bantamweight title opportunity is coming against [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag].

Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will step in for injured Julianna Peña against Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the UFC 289 headliner on June 10 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Nunes, who’s also the UFC women’s featherweight champ, is widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time – which present a golden opportunity that Aldana relishes.

“I’m fighting the greatest of all time,” Aldana said during the UFC 289 news conference. “I respect Amanda a lot. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and we’re ready.”

So what would be bigger for Aldana: winning the UFC title or beating the greatest of all time?

“Having the opportunity is already big for me,” Aldana said. “To be able to perform and to share the octagon with Amanda is already the biggest accomplishment ever.”

Dethroning Nunes will be no easy task. If Aldana is successful, she will join teammate Alexa Grasso, Brandon Moreno, and Yair Rodriguez among Mexican fighters to claim UFC gold this year.

“Definitely that’s a big motivation for me,” Aldana said. “Having three Mexican champions here, having Alexa as my teammate as a flyweight champion, this is a great time for Mexicans. I’m glad to have the opportunity to also represent Mexico here.”

Aldana wasn’t the UFC’s original choice for a shot at Nunes, which came as a surprise to the champion. Aldana was booked to headline UFC Fight Night 224 against Raquel Pennington on May 20 but was pulled from her bout to faces Nunes when Peña was forced out.

“I wasn’t mad at all,” Aldana said. “Julianna deserves it too, and I was OK with that. If I had to have another fight just to get to the title shot, I was OK with that. It doesn’t matter to me at all, but I’m glad the opportunity came.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

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Amanda Nunes: ‘Real opponent’ Irene Aldana deserved UFC 289 title shot all along over Julianna Peña

As far as UFC champ Amanda Nunes is concerned, her fight with Irene Aldana should’ve been the original UFC 289 booking.

NEWARK, N.J. – UFC women’s bantamweight champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] thinks she should have been fighting [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] all along.

It was announced last week that Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) replaced injured [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] against Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the UFC 289 headliner on June 10 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Speaking at the UFC 289 press conference, Nunes admitted she initially expected Aldana to be her next title defense before the UFC opted to make the trilogy with Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

“Honestly, this is the original opponent right there,” Nunes said. “… Now we are here with the real opponent. I’m very happy about it. Less heavy, as well, and I’m excited.”

Nunes was dethroned by Peña, who submitted her at UFC 269, but she put a lopsided beating on “The Venezuelan Vixen” to win back her title at UFC 277. Considering how definitive the win was, Nunes was ready to move on.

“Definitely,” Nunes said. “After what I did with Julianna in our last fight, there’s no question. So now (Aldana is) here, I’m very happy for her, and now we’re going to see each other soon.”

Aldana’s past three wins have come by either TKO or knockout. She possesses a Mexican boxing style that Nunes is excited to test herself against.

“Aldana is very, very tough,” Nunes said. “She has heavy hands. So, she’s technical, and this is going to be so fun. I have heavy hands, as well. I’m well rounded, so you guys have to be excited for this.”

Few have been able to match Nunes on the feet, but the champion knows she has to be weary even if she’s the aggressor.

“Aldana is powerful. She can knock somebody out, so I’ve got to watch for that,” Nunes said. “She’s also a very good counter striker. When I set up my shots, I want to make sure I’m in the right range when she attacks.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

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Dana White: Raquel Pennington will be backup for Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana title fight at UFC 289

Dana White said Raquel Pennington will be an alternate for bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in Vancouver.

[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] revealed that [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] will serve as an alternate for the UFC 289 title fight.

Pennington (15-8 MMA, 12-7 UFC) originally was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 224 against [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] on May 20, but Aldana was pulled from the fight and given a title shot against [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] when the bantamweight champion needed a new opponent for UFC 289.

Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will replace an injured Julianna Peña against Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) on June 10, and White said Pennington will be the backup. The card takes place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

“First of all, I love the Irene Aldana fight,” White told The Schmo. “For us to be able to move so quickly and get another fight in there, press conference (Friday), and she’ll be here. Raquel Pennington will be the backup on that card. So she’ll train, cut and make weight, and if anything happens to either (Nunes or Alanda), she’ll step in.”

Pennington fell short in her title pursuit against Nunes in 2018 when she lost by Round 5 TKO at UFC 224. She since has won six of her past eight – including a win over Aldana in 2019. “Rocky” currently is on a five-fight winning streak.

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Aldana is coming off two straight TKO wins over Yana Santos and Macy Chiasson. The 35-year-old Mexican fighter has won four of her past five fights. Dual-champion Nunes regained the bantamweight title when she battered Peña in their rematch at UFC 277 in July 2022.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

‘Gutted’ she had to withdraw, Julianna Peña eyes Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana winner

Julianna Peña still plans on challenging for the title again, but for now Irene Aldana is in for her against Amanda Nunes at UFC 289.

[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] still plans on challenging for the title in her next fight.

Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was scheduled to challenge dual-champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] for the women’s bantamweight title in a trilogy bout in the UFC 289 headliner June 10. However, the former champion was forced to withdraw from her bout due to broken ribs and was replaced by [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag]. The card takes place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Speaking for the first time since the news broke, a disappointed Peña released a statement on her withdrawal, and how she’s eyeing the winner of Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) vs. Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC).

“Hi. Wanted to give it a few days before I addressed the situation. I am out of my fight in #vancouver for #ufc289. I am absolutely gutted. 💔 you guys only see us preform on one night but I wish you guys could see the other side of what #fighters have to go through on a daily basis. A fighters life is not an easy road but it’s one that lights my soul on fire. It’s my passion and I do it everyday with my whole heart. I give my everything every time I step into that octagon and I wanted nothing more then to make this fight possible. Going into a fight, you’re never 100% but in this case, the doctors intervened and I was forced to withdrawal. I train so hard and As you can see from my pictures I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into this camp to show you guys how obsessed I am at improving myself. Unfortunately it’s going to have to wait. I trust in #Godsplan and have faith everything will work out for the best. I give my sincerest apologies to @ufc and @amanda_leoa. Wishing both @irene.aldana and @amanda_leoa a great fight- looking forward to fighting the winner to regain my belt! Oss.”

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Peña dethroned Nunes in a stunning upset submission at UFC 269. However, Nunes got revenge in their rematch at UFC 277 when she battered Peña en route to a lopsided unanimous decision.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

Irene Aldana replaces Julianna Peña at UFC 289, challenges Amanda Nunes for title

UFC 289 has changed half of its main event, as Irene Aldana replaces Julianna Peña to fight Amanda Nunes.

[autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] has a new UFC 289 title challenger, nixing her trilogy vs. [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] – at least for now.

With Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) out of the June 10 pay-per-view main event due to broken ribs, Mexican bantamweight [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will step in to fight Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and challenge for the UFC women’s bantamweight title.  The card takes place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

UFC president Dana White broke the news Tuesday on social media.

Prior to the initial booking of Nunes vs. Peña 3, some fans thought Aldana already did enough to earn her crack at the title and give Nunes a fresh matchup. The promotion elected to go with the rubber match instead.

Aldana, 35, has won back-to-back fights and four of her most recent five outings. The two most recent appearances were TKO victories over Yana Santos and Macy Chiasson.

Aldana was scheduled to headline the promotion’s upcoming UFC Fight Night event May 20 in a rematch vs. Raquel Pennington. No replacement fighter or matchup has been announced at this time.

Should Aldana defeat Nunes, she will be the fourth Mexican fighter to hold gold in the UFC right now, joining flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso, and interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez.

Nunes, 34, has not competed since UFC 277 in July when she won the women’s bantamweight title back from Peña, who had upset her previously to claim gold. The submission loss to Peña in December 2021 is Nunes only loss in her most recent 14 fights, dating back to early 2015. Nunes also holds the UFC women’s featherweight title.

The latest UFC 289 lineup now includes:

  • Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana – for women’s bantamweight title
  • Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush
  • Adam Fugitt vs. Mike Malott
  • Chris Curtis vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr
  • Eryk Anders vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Khalil Rountree
  • David Dvorak vs. Matt Schnell
  • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Lucas Almeida vs. Hakeem Dawodu
  • Diana Belbita vs. Maria Oliveira
  • Michel Pereira vs. Stephen Thompson
  • Blake Bilder vs. Kyle Nelson
  • Aori Qileng vs. Aiemann Zahabi

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.