Julianna Peña never believed Amanda Nunes was done fighting. The UFC bantamweight champion shared her thoughts in a recent interview.
Nunes retired in June 2023 after dominating Irene Aldana at UFC 289. She left the octagon with a 23-5 record and two-division glory.
Peña and Nunes split their two title bouts. Peña shocked the world with a submission win in 2021, but Nunes reclaimed the belt in 2022.
Peña said:
“I was always expecting it. I went over to Vancouver, watched her lay down her gloves and told everybody what a lier she was and booed her the entire time because I knew she wasn’t going to be fully retired.” She doubted Nunes’ exit from the start.
She added, “If you’re going to retire, stay retired. I don’t understand why fighters retire and then always come back. Somebody hand this girl an Oscar, because she told everybody, like, ‘I’m retired. It’s over.’ And I’m like, ‘No, it’s not. She’s way too young. She’s not gonna be done. She doesn’t know what her life is outside of fighting. She’s gonna get bored and she’s gonna want to come back and fight.”
Peña called Nunes’ retirement a performance.
Julianna Peña on if she always expected Amanda Nunes to come out of retirement. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/wl99aUcB5a
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 6, 2025
Peña Shifts Focus to Harrison and Discipline
Nunes confirmed her comeback in April 2025, eyeing the winner of Peña versus Kayla Harrison at UFC 316. She wants her bantamweight belt back.
Peña now prepares for Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist with an 18-1 record. Their clash headlines UFC 316 in Newark on June 7.
Peña stated:
“At the end of the day, Amanda is not my focus. Amanda is the furthest thing from my mind right now. I have a rhinoceros [Kayla Harrison] coming to fight me on June 7 and I need and will be a thousand and ten percent prepared when that happens. So one thing at a time for me.” She prioritizes the immediate challenge.
Harrison dismissed Peña’s Nunes obsession, saying she’ll “f*ck up” Peña and then face Nunes. She aims to claim the title and spark a rivalry.
Dana White loves Nunes’ return, calling it great for the division. Fans on X are split, some wanting the trilogy, others backing Harrison.
Peña’s victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October 2024 earned her the belt. Now, she faces Harrison before any Nunes showdown.
Her focus on Harrison shows discipline, but Nunes looms large. UFC 316 will shape the bantamweight division’s future.
