Amanda Nunes vows to bring Juliana Pena down if charges are brought against her.
UFC dual-division champion Nunes (22-5 MMA, 15-2 UFC) is set to defend her bantamweight title against Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in a three-way headlining match at UFC 289 on June 10 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Peña beat Nunes at UFC 269 via second round submission in December 2021, but Nunes was able to score four knockdowns on Peña to win his rematch via lopsided decision at UFC 277 in July. Peña admitted that Nunes’ southern attitude threw her away, and “The Lioness” warned her of the same fate if she recklessly attacked her.
“If you guys lunge at Juliana, I’ll put your ass down,” Nunes said. TSN. “I’m telling you: Hurry on me and I’ll put your ass up. Timing my business to take you any time I want.”
Peña fired back, reminding Nunes of the changes she had to make both in the lead-up to the fight and the fight itself after it ended in their first fight. Nunes parted ways with the American Top Team and opened up her own gym to prepare for their match again.
“I turned the greatest striker of all time into Southpaw’s Holly Holm,” replied Peña.
Pena questioned Nunes’ motives and longevity in the sport if she were to lose her title again, but Nunes confirmed she wouldn’t walk away after UFC 289.
“I’ve had this sport for a long time, and I’ve done whatever I wanted,” Nunes said. “I get it all done, baby. This fight won’t be my retirement fight.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie Event Center for UFC 289.