Retired Amanda Nunes thinks Julianna Peña won’t become champion

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Amanda Nunes doesn’t see Julianna Pena changing into the subsequent inheritor to her throne.

Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) retired after retaining her bantamweight title towards Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) this previous Saturday within the UFC 289 predominant occasion at Rogers Area.

Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who was initially scheduled to face Nunes earlier than withdrawing attributable to a rib damage, accused Nunes of working away from their trilogy bout by retiring – and “The Lioness” may solely snort at that assertion.

“Oh my goodness, what can I say about that woman?” Nunes advised reporters on the UFC 289 post-fight press convention. “She’s presupposed to be right here. I’m presupposed to beat her tonight once more. She’s the one which doesn’t know easy methods to practice, break the ribs, what am I going to do?

“If it was Julianna Peña tonight, I don’t retire as a result of I wish to combat any individual that I by no means fought earlier than to retire. Tonight, it wouldn’t have been the night time. I might have beat Julianna after which combat Aldana or no matter after which retire.”

With Nunes opting to hold up her gloves, the UFC bantamweight title is now vacant. Peña is the one girl to beat Nunes throughout her dominant title reign, however Nunes doesn’t see her recapturing gold. Nunes dominated Peña after they instantly rematched at UFC 277 to reclaim her bantamweight title.

“No,” Nunes mentioned on Peña changing into champion. “I don’t assume so. I believe Aldana can beat her. I really feel like she (Peña) obtained fortunate in that combat towards me. She is aware of I wasn’t prepared, however I proved it within the second combat and I don’t assume she’s going to be a champion. She’s not prepared. She’s not able to be a champion.”

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