Giant UFC Crowd of 18,471 Watches Pena Shock World With Upset Over Nunes In Las Vegas Saturday
By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
In perhaps the greatest upset in women’s MMA history, Julianna Peña shocked the world to defeat Amanda Nunes for the UFC bantamweight title in front of 18,471 fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night.
Ever since the fight was announced in the summer, Peña swore to anyone who would listen that she would dominate Nunes. Although the now former champ had moments during the first round, the fight was mostly controlled by the striking of Peña. The finish came at 3 minutes, 26 seconds, after Peña hurt Nunes on the feet, she took her to the canvass, and finished her with a rear-naked choke at UFC 269.
A heavy underdog leading into the fight, Peña was +600 by Las Vegas sportsbooks with Nunes as high as -1,300. Stations Casinos had a prop bet for Peña to win in round two at 30-1. Peña snapped Nunes’ 12-fight win streak and is the first woman to defeat Nunes since September 2014.
“Don’t ever doubt me again. Willpower, strength and determination will take you places,” UFC’s newest woman champion said.
Nunes was gracious in defeat: “Congratulations to Julianna. She’s a warrior and I know that the whole time. I’m gonna go back to the gym, train hard, and come back strong. Thank you everybody. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year.”
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Peña was dropped twice in the first round and had to battle Nunes off her back in its final minutes. She came out in the second resolved to go toe-to-toe with her opponent and found success landing significant shots. “I’m still in shock,” the new bantamweight champion said.
Lvsportsbiz.com asked the Washington state native if UFC should create a “Baddest Mom On The Planet” belt for her.
She said yes, but offered am attention-grabbing take on Nunes’ motherhood: “I’m not trying to take anything away from Amanda Nunes, she’s a wonderful mother, but I gave birth to my daughter. I feel like for giving birth I am the first mom champ.”
Nunes and her wife Nina are openly gay athletes who welcomed their first child in 2020.
