COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Amanda Nunes is focused as ever on delivering dominant performances, and it’s her goal to wipe the floor with Julianna Pena at UFC 265 – literally.
Pena (10-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was very vocal ahead of securing a shot at Nunes’ (21-4 MMA, 14-1 UFC) women’s bantamweight title on the Aug. 7 event, which does not have an announced venue or location. She jumped on every possible interview opportunity and made some very bold statements about the two-division champ, who many regard as the greatest female fighter of all time.
Nunes said she appreciates Pena’s moxie in pursuit of securing the matchup but said it’s going to be a reality check when they step in the octagon.
“I love that,” Nunes told MMA Junkie. “Those kind of girls bring the best of me in the cage. I love what she did. She got it. I’m happy for her, and we’re going to see each other soon. I know she don’t have nothing to lose, so I’m still ready. Nobody is going to take this from me. I’m going to become a lion inside the cage, and no one is going to take that belt from me.”
Pena has said her grappling is going to be the X-factor in the fight and doesn’t think Nunes is going to be able to thwart her takedowns and top control on fight night. Nunes is rather amused by that scenario, and has seemingly taken it as a personal challenge.
Nunes said she’s going to flip the script on Pena come fight night and give “The Venezuelan Vixen” a taste of her own medicine.
“All my opponents, it’s the same thing,” Nunes said. “Since I get this belt, they say the same thing. 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 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. She’s good with her wrestling, but also she has a lot of holes. The girls that I finish submit her. Valentina (Shevchenko) and Germaine (de Randamie) – two strikers – submitted her. So she has a lot of holes. I will do the same.”
Nunes has been on top of the game for several years at this point. There was talk not that long ago that she had designs on retiring from MMA competition, but then her wife, Nina Nunes, gave birth to their first child in 2020, and everything changed.
According to “The Lioness,” being a mother has renewed her passion, and now her intention is to keep fighting until her daughter, Reagan, is old enough to fully comprehend her success.
“I feel like nobody can stop me – especially with my kid right now,” Nunes said. “I keep focused, and she really gives me another run. I want to have a lot of memories with her in the cage. This fight is going to be another great moment to have some pictures and have her there, and I hope she likes when she grows up.
“Definitely I want her to be able to understand it and cheer for me. I’m going to go as long as possible, until my body tells me to stop. I feel very healthy, and I’m going to hang out here as long as possible.”
Although Nunes said she doesn’t see much in the way of challenges after the fight with Pena, she knows the UFC will always find an opponent for her to share the octagon with, be it at 135 or 145 pounds.
Nunes’ philosophy during her title reign has been to accept all comers, and she promised that won’t change after UFC 265.
“I’m going to defend this belt as long as possible,” Nunes said. “Whatever UFC want to do, I’m going to be there, ready to defend the belt. Whoever steps in front of me, I’m going to take it.”