Amanda
Nunes wasn’t expecting an immediate trilogy against Julianna
Pena.
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After suffering a shocking upset loss to Pena at UFC 269, Nunes
avenged that defeat with a dominant five-round verdict in their
rematch at UFC 277 this past July. Late last week, the promotion
announced that Nunes-Pena 3 would headline UFC 289 at Rogers Arena
in Vancouver on June 10. Initially, Nunes thought Irene
Aldana, who has won four of her last five promotional
appearances, would be next in line to face her.
“I did [think it would be Aldana]. I thought it was gonna be her,”
Nunes told ESPN over the weekend. “Everything changed to Julianna
and I was okay with it, too. No matter what, whatever UFC showed me
the opponent, I’m gonna be happy to defend my belt.”
While it wasn’t necessarily the opponent she expected, Nunes is
more than willing to face Pena for a third time.
“I always say I leave it to what UFC decides,” Nunes said. “I’m
ready, I’ve been training, I’m healthy. So, whatever UFC wants to
do, I’m ready. I love to do this, I love to fight. I’m here to
defend my belt, and Julianna wants it again, I don’t have any
problems with defending my belt against her.”
Nunes, who is widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound female in
the sport, hopes to send a message in the trilogy.
“Obviously, it’s five rounds, I look for that,” Nunes said. “It’s
gonna be domination. If I have the opportunity to finish her, I
will this time finish her. Whatever happens, I’m gonna be the one
who has their hand raised at the end of the night.”
It will be nearly a year away by the time Nunes returns to the
Octagon at UFC 289. She is looking forward both to the excitement
of fighting as well as bring the promotion back to Canada.
“I can’t wait. I feel like my body and my mind need this kind of
adrenaline to be able to function,” Nunes said. “I miss it. I’m
very happy it’s going to be in Vancouver. I know how beautiful and
awesome that place is and all the fans they treat me so good when I
was there, so I can’t wait to get back there.”