

The second PPV event of July (UFC 277) had the biggest rematch in women’s MMA history as the headliner. Women’s GOAT & featherweight champion Amanda Nunes squared off against bantamweight champion Julianna Pena. ‘The Lioness’ recaptured the belt with a dominant performance.
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The former double champion was ready to mix things up in the rematch. Nunes looked sharp in the first round. Surprisingly, the featherweight queen came as a southpaw, changed stances during the entire fight, and had parity in her strikes.
Every time the champion tried to close the distance, the women’s GOAT countered her. She never rushed for a finish, but was precise with her shots. Yet, the bantamweight queen was hanging in the contest to take the Brazilian athlete to deep waters.

via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 11: Julianna Pena enters the Octagon before her women’s bantamweight championship bout against Amanda Nunes of Brazil during UFC 269 at T-Mobile Arena on December 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The 34-year-old, former American Top Team standout showed clear improvements in her game as she took the measured approach to the rematch. She looked better on her feet & ground than her 32-year-old counterpart, Pena.
The Florida-based professional dominated ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ from the first bell. The Sikjitsu standout had no answer for Nunes’ relentless attacks.

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: Amanda Nunes of Brazil reacts after her victory over Megan Anderson of Australia in their UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)|GettyImages
In the fifth round, the Washington-born, Pena knew only a finish could keep the bantamweight queen title on her. However, the Brazilian featherweight champion gave her no space to catch any submissions to pull off a miracle.
MMA fans react to UFC 277 headliner
After the five-round domination, the result went to Amanda Nunes. ‘The Lioness’ became the first ever 2-time double champion in UFC history.
MMA pros reacted to a spectacular performance from Nunes and the heart of the now-former champion, Julianna Pena.
Julianna Peña is one of the toughest humans alive. That was ridiculous. #UFC277
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) July 31, 2022
We need a trilogy
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 31, 2022
This is how champions fight and behave!! #UFC277
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) July 31, 2022
Prior to this year, it had been 17+ years since a champion lost their title and won it back in an immediate rematch and it has now happened twice in 2022.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 31, 2022
And STILL!!!
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) July 31, 2022
Holy Moly what an amazing fight! #UFC277
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 31, 2022
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Looks like Amanda decide to fully copy my stand up game 🤔
Great fight both ladies! 💪🏻 #UFC277— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) July 31, 2022
Now, that Nunes has captured her 135 lbs belt back. And the flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has chimed in on her performance. Perhaps the UFC would finally give the fans a treat with the trilogy fight between the pound-for-pound best female fighters.
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WATCH THIS STORY – UFC 277 Nunes vs. Penã: Why Ronda Rousey Conqueror Amanda Nunes Will Take Back The Bantamweight Crown
What do you make of this UFC 277 main-event? Share your thought in the comments section.
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