Outside Source
Amanda Nunes wasn’t expecting an immediate trilogy against Julianna Pena.
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After suffering a shocking upset loss to Pena at UFC 269, Nunes avenged that defeat with a dominant five-round verdict in their rematch at UFC 277 this past July. Late last week, the promotion announced that Nunes-Pena 3 would headline UFC 289 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on June 10. Initially, Nunes thought Irene Aldana, who has won four of her last five promotional appearances, would be next in line to face her.
“I did [think it would be Aldana]. I thought it was gonna be her,” Nunes told ESPN over the weekend. “Everything changed to Julianna and I was okay with it, too. No matter what, whatever UFC showed me the opponent, I’m gonna be happy to defend my belt.”
While it wasn’t necessarily the opponent she expected, Nunes is more than willing to face Pena for a third time.
“I always say I leave it to what UFC decides,” Nunes said. “I’m ready, I’ve been training, I’m healthy. So, whatever UFC wants to do, I’m ready. I love to do this, I love to fight. I’m here to defend my belt, and Julianna wants it again, I don’t have any problems with defending my belt against her.”
Nunes, who is widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound female in the sport, hopes to send a message in the trilogy.
“Obviously, it’s five rounds, I look for that,” Nunes said. “It’s gonna be domination. If I have the opportunity to finish her, I will this time finish her. Whatever happens, I’m gonna be the one who has their hand raised at the end of the night.”
It will be nearly a year away by the time Nunes returns to the Octagon at UFC 289. She is looking forward both to the excitement of fighting as well as bring the promotion back to Canada.
“I can’t wait. I feel like my body and my mind need this kind of adrenaline to be able to function,” Nunes said. “I miss it. I’m very happy it’s going to be in Vancouver. I know how beautiful and awesome that place is and all the fans they treat me so good when I was there, so I can’t wait to get back there.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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