Nick Peet: UFC 277 Preview

WITH the nation currently locked in female football fever as the Lionesses shoot to win England’s first major football trophy in over 50 years, Saturday night’s UFC 277 main event is fittingly headlined by a Hall of Fame ‘Lioness’ looking to get her legacy back on track.

Just a week after Molly McCann stole the show at UFC London with another spinning elbow KO, Amanda Nunes rematches Julianna Pena in Dallas, Texas hoping to win back her bantamweight title belt.

The two ladies met for the first time in December, when Pena rocked Planet MMA off its axis with one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, choking out two-weight champ Nunes in the second round.

It was the Brazilian’s first loss in a seven-year, 13-fight run that encompassed first round finishes over Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm, singling her out as the sport’s greatest fighting female.

Amanda Nunes needs this energy this weekend #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/6U4LxUTUTk

— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) July 27, 2022

Nunes, 34, has the opportunity to put that night behind her and mount the 135lb crown back on her mantle next to the 145lb belt, if she can finally realise the expectations of their first fight.

But Pena, 32, has the swag of a new champion. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ capped a 15-fight (11-4) career by winning the title last year and she’s determined to prove it was no fluke by forcing Nunes to tap out again in Texas.

“The torch was passed and I’m ready to close this chapter and move forward,” Pena told a busy press conference earlier this week.

These reactions to Peña's stunning win against Nunes 😱 #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/pvIRPZYDL0

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 27, 2022

“I’m going to stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world (again), and I’m going to give it my best. We are going to see whose ovaries are bigger! And I’m willing to bet that’s me.”

Nunes added: “I was without a challenge for so long. Now, finally, I get in the position that I like to feel. I like to feel trapped. These are the moments I love the most.”

The former champion insists she has left no stone unturned in her pursuit of redemption. She’s quit her gym, moved her home, and sacrificed time away from her new baby and partner to ensure she gets her legacy back on track.

Back in December, Nunes resembled a spoilt, lazy predator. One who had gotten used to prey wandering willingly into her path with starry eyes; limited and intimidated. It was all too easy.

FULL UFC 277 CARD

Once Pena stood up to her, she fatigued almost immediately. It was Pena who got to impose her will on the fight, and once she attacked with that rear naked choke, Nunes abruptly capitulated.

Pena will rightly return even more confident and composed than before. But if Nunes has any predatory instincts left the result the industry predicted at the end of 2021 should finally play out in the replay.

TIP: Nunes by TKO – BOOSTED NOW 6/4