UFC president Dana White is more than excited about the rematch between bantamweight champion Julianna Pena and former double champion Amanda Nunes. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Bantamweight champion Julianna Pena and former bantamweight champion Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes will have their rematch at UFC 277 on August 30. When the rivals recently squared off at The Ultimate Figher, UFC president Dana White could not hide his excitement about the upcoming title bout.
“This is easily one of the most anticipated rematches in UFC history, “Dana White said on The Ultimate Fighter. “You can tell the way that they squared off that Amanda is counting the days until she can try to get that belt back, and everyone can not wait for this fight.”
Amanda Nunes won the bantamweight title when she submitted Miesha Tate in July 2016, and successfully defended it five times.
She lost the belt to Julianna Pena on UFC 269 in December last year, in what was called the biggest upset in the history of the sport. Pena looked sharp in the first round and picked “The Lioness” apart before she was able to secure a second-round submission. Before the title loss, Nunes had a twelve-fight win streak and had not lost a fight since 2014.
Julianna Pena won The Ultimate Fighter 18 bantamweight tournament in 2013. Her only UFC losses came against top opponents Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie.