In combat sports, a trilogy fight is iconic, symbolizing a rivalry so intense and marketable that every matchup has been electric. Sometimes, it’s not just about the rivalry but about redemption and proving who’s really on top. UFC fans just saw Valentina Shevchenko close the chapter after two battles, finally conquering Alexa Grasso. In the same vein, Juliana Peña is gearing up to reignite the flames for a third clash with Amanda Nunes, even though ‘The Lioness’ hung up her gloves last year.
In her recent MMA Junkie interview Pena suggests that despite Nunes leaving the sport, she believes the former champ still has a competitive urge. Pena added that Nunes’ jealousy and desire to prove she’s still the best could tempt her to come out of retirement to fight her again and show she can still win.
She stated, “I’m hoping Amanda will want to come out of retirement, and I’m betting she will be there, and she’ll be watching very intently. I don’t believe she is truly as done as she claims as she is. And I think that she misses the sport. And she doesn’t know what to do with herself now that she’s not fighting.”
Julianna Pena Believes Trilogy Against Amanda Nunes Will Be Biggest
For those who don’t know, Nunes held both UFC titles until an unexpected submission defeat to Pena at UFC 269, marking the end of her seven-year dominance. However, she reclaim her bantamweight belt in a rematch at UFC 277. And while they were scheduled for a trilogy fight at UFC 289, Pena’s injury kept her out of the octagon. Nunes ended up facing Irene Aldana instead and chose to retire that night.
Since then, the former UFC champion has been hopeful for their long-awaited trilogy. When The Venezuelan Vixen was recently asked if she sees Kayla Harrison as her biggest matchup, she dismissed the idea, insisting that the trilogy fight would be the biggest. It would finally determine who is better between the two. However, since her retirement, there’s been no indication that Nunes wants to come back.
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