- Daniel Cormer previously said Julianna Pena’s work at UFC 277 didn’t earn her a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes
- “The Venezuelan Vixen” explained why she has all the right to get a third shot
Many are convinced that the Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena rematch at UFC 277 was a one-sided five-round beatdown courtesy of the Brazilian. Pena ended up beaten black and blue but vowed to push for a trilogy fight once she’s healed up. Former UFC champ-champ Daniel Cormier, meanwhile, doesn’t think the “Venezuelan Vixen” earned a warrant for an immediate third women’s bantamweight title fight with Nunes.
Don’t hate on me, DC
Sharing her thoughts on the sunject in an ESPN MMA pre-fight show, Pena laid out everything she accomplished in her MMA career to refute DC’s comments.
Pena also pointed out that Cormier should have no reason to “hate” on her as he has had one of the most title fights in UFC history.
“I am mad at you DC,” Pena said. “You’re saying that my work doesn’t warrant it, I’m the first ever woman t win The Ultimate Fighter, I’ve torn four or five ligaments in my knee and came back from that, actually both knees, I gave birth and had a baby and came back from that, I have been clawing and scratching my way up to the top and been in this division since 2013… I did everything that I said I was going to do leading up to that fight.‘DC, you’ve had 10 title fights, bro. Like, why are you hating on me for wanting to get a trilogy fight? 10! I think that’s the most title fights in UFC history. Like, come on, dude. Like, don’t block me out, dude.”
Pena isn’t the one
It can be recalled that Pena stunned everybody when she submitted Nunes in their first meeting at UFC 269. Nunes hit back with an undeniably dominant performance in the rematch. Some, including Cormier, reckoned Pena isn’t on the same footing as Nunes and if there’s someone who deserves a third shot at the Brazilian, that would be reigning women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Cormier could be right as Shevchenko has been dominating the flyweight division for quite some time now. However, it should also be taken into account that “Lioness” beat “Bullet” twice via decision in their first two meetings.
All told, it’s up to the UFC to decide if Pena really deserves another crack at Nunes. Let’s wait and see.
