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Enters title defense as favorite
Nunes enters fight week as approximately a (-325) betting favorite for Saturday's UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship title defense against Irene Aldana.
ANALYSIS
Nunes got her belt back from Julianna Pena last July and was originally set to settle the score in a trilogy fight, but Pena was forced to withdraw with a ribs injury. In steps Aldana, a high-volume striker who earned this opportunity on the back of four victories in her last five trips to the cage. While Aldana has higher striking volume than the champion, statistically, defense can be an issue, as she absorbs more than twice the significant strikes as Nunes does on a per-minute basis. Nunes also has much greater offensive wrestling and grappling tools in her arsenal, so it's no surprise she's entering as a sizable favorite.
Nunes got her belt back from Julianna Pena last July and was originally set to settle the score in a trilogy fight, but Pena was forced to withdraw with a ribs injury. In steps Aldana, a high-volume striker who earned this opportunity on the back of four victories in her last five trips to the cage. While Aldana has higher striking volume than the champion, statistically, defense can be an issue, as she absorbs more than twice the significant strikes as Nunes does on a per-minute basis. Nunes also has much greater offensive wrestling and grappling tools in her arsenal, so it's no surprise she's entering as a sizable favorite.
Fighting new opponent
Nunes will defend her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 on June 10, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes was originally intended to fight Julianna Pena for the third straight championship fight, but broken ribs for Pena will end the trilogy. Nunes will have a one-inch reach advantage on Aldana, but her 51 percent significant striking accuracy should give her a leg-up.
Nunes was originally intended to fight Julianna Pena for the third straight championship fight, but broken ribs for Pena will end the trilogy. Nunes will have a one-inch reach advantage on Aldana, but her 51 percent significant striking accuracy should give her a leg-up.
Defending title versus Pena
UFC president Dana White confirmed Friday that Nunes will defend her bantamweight title against Julianna Pena at UFC 289 on June 10, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes was lined up to face Irene Aldana last month before negotiations fell apart back in January, and a third matchup with Pena is now on the schedule. Pena delivered a major upset by taking the title from Nunes in December of 2021, but Nunes responded by reclaiming the belt in dominant fashion via unanimous decision last summer.
Nunes was lined up to face Irene Aldana last month before negotiations fell apart back in January, and a third matchup with Pena is now on the schedule. Pena delivered a major upset by taking the title from Nunes in December of 2021, but Nunes responded by reclaiming the belt in dominant fashion via unanimous decision last summer.
Fight with Aldana falls apart
Nunes won't defend her UFC Bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 285 on March 4 as the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes defeated Julianna Pena in July to reclaim the UFC Bantamweight belt, but her title defense in March won't happen as previously expected after a breakdown in negotiations. Pena is apparently angling for a rematch, which Nunes has rejected. It remains to be seen when exactly any of the three fighters will re-enter the Octagon.
Nunes defeated Julianna Pena in July to reclaim the UFC Bantamweight belt, but her title defense in March won't happen as previously expected after a breakdown in negotiations. Pena is apparently angling for a rematch, which Nunes has rejected. It remains to be seen when exactly any of the three fighters will re-enter the Octagon.
Targeted for UFC 285 title defense
Nunes is being targeted for her next title defense to take place against Irene Aldana at UFC 285 on March 4, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes regained her UFC Bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Julianna Pena last July, winning the striking battle and accumulating six takedowns in the process. She'll now turn her focus to Aldana -- a striker by trade who also sports a respectable 81 percent takedown defense (though she was taken down three times in a September victory over Macy Chiasson). Aldana is one of the few bantamweight contenders with a higher striking volume than Nunes, so it may be in the champion's best interest to take this to the mat. She'll rightfully enter as a sizable betting favorite for the proposed matchup.
Nunes regained her UFC Bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Julianna Pena last July, winning the striking battle and accumulating six takedowns in the process. She'll now turn her focus to Aldana -- a striker by trade who also sports a respectable 81 percent takedown defense (though she was taken down three times in a September victory over Macy Chiasson). Aldana is one of the few bantamweight contenders with a higher striking volume than Nunes, so it may be in the champion's best interest to take this to the mat. She'll rightfully enter as a sizable betting favorite for the proposed matchup.