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via Imago

via Imago

UFC women’s Featherweight and Bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is gearing up to defend her bantamweight title against Julianna Pena at UFC 265. The ‘Lioness’ till now has defended her bantamweight belt multiple times since winning it in 2016.

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Recently, Pena, in various interviews, talked about her desire to fight Nunes, trash-talked her, and also described strategies to defeat the ‘Lioness’. The champ, though, had her own response in store when she was made aware of Pena’s words.

“I love that. Those kinds of girls bring the best of me in the cage,” she said. “I love what she did. She got it. I’m happy for her, and we’re going to see each other soon.”

Nunes then said she is ready to fight to her full potential as Pena has nothing to lose. “I’m going to become a lion inside the cage, and no one is going to take that belt from me,” she added.

Amanda Nunes says Pena won’t be able to stop her

Pena had recently talked about stopping Nunes with grappling and multiple takedowns. The champ then brushed aside her ideas by pointing that many have said it, but none have done it.

“All my opponents, it’s the same thing. Since I get this belt, they say the same thing,” she said. “None of them has been able to stop me. She’s going to be the next.”

“She’s not going to stop me with her wrestling. I promise you. We’re going to do (an) interview again like, ‘I told you. She’s not stopping me’. I will defend, and I will take her down, and I will finish her on the floor,” Nunes added.

Nunes then pointed out the weakness in Pena despite boasting good wrestling skills. The champ talked about her previous opponents Valentina Shevchenko and Germaine de Randamie, impressive strikers, taking down Pena via submission.

“So she has a lot of holes. I will do the same,” she concluded.

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How Julianna Pena has fared recently

Pena has blown hot and cold in her last 4 matches. She has picked up 2 wins and 2 losses in her last 4 matches. She fought against Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 23 and lost via armbar submission. Next up she faced Nicco Montano at UFC Fight Night 155 and won via unanimous decision.

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She then lost to Randamie in October last year via guillotine submission at UFC on ESPN 16. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ then came back strongly earlier this year to pick up a victory over Sara McMann at UFC 257 via rear-naked choke.

Although she has racked up good numbers throughout her career, it will be a humongous task for her to beat Nunes and capture the gold. Nunes meanwhile will look to stretch her winning streak which has already grown to a sizeable number.

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Will there be a new champion or the juggernaut will continue?

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