What’s next for Amanda Nunes after reclaiming title against Peña?
After Amanda Nunes’ UFC 277 victory over Julianna Peña, is it now time for the Brazilian to face Valentina Shevchenko for a third time? Dana White likes the idea.
Just 24 hours ago, Amanda Nunes became the first two-time double champion in UFC history after she confidently proclaimed that she was going “to become a double champ again.”
Nunes defeated Julianna Peña at UFC 277 (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) on Saturday night via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43) and had a revengeful look on her face from the minute she stepped on the ring until she scored the victory.
That soaring attitude didn’t only throw Peña off, but it also gave Nunes her vengeance back after the American shocked the world in December when she stopped the Brazilian in the second round.
Like the featherweight title holder said, “Life is like that, sometimes not everything goes your way,” while sometimes you prove why you’re the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time.
Related: UFC 277: Who were the winners and losers in Dallas?
Is it time to bring back the Nunes – Shevchenko bout?
During seven rounds with Peña, we’ve seen Nunes dominate six, and now the two are even (1-1). So maybe the excitement isn’t so much about these two as much as it is about where Nunes is going next.
Let’s talk about Valentina Shevchenko. A year ago, the Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian looked indestructible, as did the Brazilian, and imagining a fight between the two was absolutely high in demand. However, fans’ curiosity has gone up the roof after watching Nunes lose to Peña last year and Shevchenko ‘almost’ lose to Taila Santos. You see, now we can’t actually predict who would be the last woman standing in this two-person show.
We’re not the only ones routing for this bout though. UFC president Dana White thinks it’s “not a bad idea,” too. When White was asked about the possibility of a third bout between the two, the 53-year-old said, “Very (likely)... we’ll figure it out.” White continued to say that he loves his double-champ, Nunes, and that he’ll “do whatever she wants to do.”
Nunes holds two victories over the 34-year-old, and initially said she wanted to put her featherweight title on the line next. Luckily for her, White is willing to make all her wishes come true.