UFC president Dana White admitted at a Contender series press event this week that, despite Amanda Nunes’ dominant performance against Julianna Pena at UFC 277, he thought the lioness was “gun-shy”. Specifically, he addressed the idea that Nunes was more cautious heading into the fight, conserving her energy to avoid the same fate as she suffered the last time out against Pena.
“I think two things: Julianna’s tough as nails and her will to win was second to none. She wanted to win. I think as dominant as Amanda was — and she was dominant tonight, I didn’t think it was close any way, shape, or form, it was a complete shutout — but she still looked a little gun-shy to me. Going in against the person who beat you the first time, I could see that happening.
Dana White: “Gun-Shy” Nunes “Never Went In For the Kill” At UFC 277
I mean, it’s stupid for me to even say that. It was an absolutely dominant performance. I think she was concerned about her cardio probably, because when you think about the way that she fought [Cris] Cyborg, she usually throws tons of punches. She had Julianna hurt many times, had her on crazy legs a couple of times, and never really went in for the kill.”
Nunes scored three knockdowns against Pena in a single round, doing her best to keep the fight on the feet or to deliver ground-and-pound. Considering that she lost to Julianna Pena the first time via submission, avoiding long grappling exchanges was probably a good idea. Dana White quickly dismissed the notion that Nunes would have submitted Pena, or looked for a submission, when she was enjoying such success on her feet.
“She could have, but she didn’t. There’s a big difference between submission attempts and knockdowns. It’s not even comparable.”
With a Nunes-Pena trilogy looking plausible, another serious threat to Nunes’ dominance in the UFC women’s division is on many fans’ minds. Although Amanada Nunes is 2-0 against UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, a third fight between the two, allowing Shevchenko the possibility to move back up to bantamweight, looks far more likely now than it has in years. This is an eventuality that Dana White acknowledged.
“That’s not a bad idea. Normally I would say, ‘Come on, man,’ but that’s not a bad idea really when you think about it. I’m not saying, ‘yes;’ I’m just saying it’s not a bad idea.”
In the meantime, both Nunes and Pena are under indefinite medical suspension following their five-round title fight at UFC 277. Do you agree with Dana White’s analysis? Let us know in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63GIWQXxuE
