The UFC women’s bantamweight title has been vacant for the past six months following the retirement of Amanda Nunes earlier this year. Widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Nunes vacated the title shortly after her successful title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289, and the title has been in limbo ever since.
However, this vacancy will come to an end at UFC 297, slated for January 20 in Toronto, Canada, which will see Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva fight to become the new women’s bantamweight champion. But this matchup has not pleased fans. And not just the fans; title contender Julianna Pena?too felt the need to share her dissatisfaction.
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Julianna Pena trashes Pennington-Silva at UFC 297
#1 ranked women’s strawweight Julianna Pena, who lost a title bout to Nunes at UFC 277 in July last year, recently let her thoughts known on the Pennington-Silva bout for the women’s strawweight title. She said that she felt bad for the fans for having to watch the bout at UFC 297.
Julianna Pe?a reveals she?s currently injured and will fight the winner of Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva for the women?s bantamweight title ? #UFC297 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/8XGPaJX2Ic
? MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 4, 2023
The Washington native also gave an update on her health and told fans that she was out for the foreseeable future because of an injury. She added that her next appearance in the UFC Octagon would be for the title against the winner of the upcoming UFC 297 title bout.
Fans resonated with Pena’s sentiment, echoing her dissatisfaction with the championship bout scheduled for UFC 297.
Fans react to the women’s bantamweight title fixture
Responding to the statement, fans took to social media and spoke out against the bout. However, many were critical of Pena, too. Here is a sample of their comments.
“#UFC297 is officially a fight night card. Why does the ufc hate Canada so much.”
“She is unlikable. But she’s not wrong. Silva and Raquel has to be the most unanticipated title fight in years.”
“If she had headlined still would be a disaster”
“And her being in it would be better?”
“Injured for 2 straight Title Opportunities? Yikes”
“I would of been mad if we were forced fed her fight lol”
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“Julianna talks a good game but more often than not she just doesn?t deliver”
“She is unlikable. But she’s not wrong. Silva and Raquel has to be the most unanticipated title fight in years.”
“Pena beats both of them anyways”
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What do you think about Julianna Pena’s comments on the title bout between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva? Let us know in the comments section below.
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