Julianna Pena asked for it, and now she will get her chance to face Amanda Nunes.
It was announced by ESPN that Nunes will defend her UFC bantamweight title against Pena at UFC 265 in August, per UFC President Dana White.
The Lioness will make her return to the bantamweight division in August. Per Dana White (@danawhite), Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) will defend her 135-pound title against Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) at UFC 265. pic.twitter.com/tWLmW2Exmt
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 15, 2021
Pena, ranked sixth in the UFC's bantamweight rankings, is 2-2 in her last four fights. After winning The Ulitmate Fighter 18, she went on to beat the likes of Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano. Since then she has lost to Valentina Shevchenko, beat Nicco Montano, lost to Germaine de Randamie, and beat Sara McMann in January.
The 31-year-old has been creating headlines with her colorful interviews calling out Nunes. She stated "The Lioness" is hiding from her and is ready for her time to shine.
Nunes is currently on a twelve-fight win streak against a murders' row of fighters. Her last fight was a submission win over Megan Anderson at UFC 259. That was for the UFC featherweight title. The last time Nunes fought at bantamweight was in 2019, beating de Randamie to defend the bantamweight title.
While the fight does not have a location yet, it will take place on August 7.
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