Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena, has fired back at UFC commentator and former two-division champ Daniel Cormier for saying that she does not deserve a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes. Speaking on ESPN, Pena blasted DC for his claim that her work rate does not warrant a third fight against one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
“You’re saying that my work doesn’t warrant it? I’m the first ever woman to win ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ I’ve torn four out of five ligaments in my knee and came back from that, actually both knees, I gave birth and had a baby and came back from that.
Julianna Pena Blasts DC, Demands Nunes Rematch
I have been clawing and scratching my way to the top and been in this division since 2013 when they first allowed women to join the UFC, and I did everything that I said I was going to do leading up to that fight. DC, you’ve had 10 title fights, bro. Like, why are you hating on me for wanting to get a trilogy fight? Ten! I think that’s the most title fights in UFC history. I mean, come on, dude. Like, don’t block me out, dude.”
It was Julianna Pena who dethroned Nunes with a massive upset victory via submission at UFC 269. Pena lost the rematch at UFC 277 by decision, and immediately called for a third fight to settle the trilogy.
Nunes was an awarded an immediate rematch following a season of the two coaching opposite teams on The Ultimate Fighter. The pair are, of course, tied up at one victory each. The second fight, which saw Nunes win via decision, was remarkably one-sided, as Amanda Nunes punished her opponent across all five rounds. The first fight was much shorter, with Pena dominating early on and pushing for a submission finish. In doing do, Pena earned a UFC title, but she claims this is only the beginning of the apex of her career.
“Your pinnacle of getting to the top is winning the belt and fighting and clawing your way to get there. So I did that. I got to check that off, but it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to give this immediate rematch to prove it wasn’t a fluke, and I ran out of time. I don’t have a fight scheduled, I know Amanda doesn’t have a fight scheduled, and I think a trilogy fight is what the fans want to see.”
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