Amanda Nunes announced her retirement from mixed martial arts just two weeks ago. Erin Blanchfield is now considering moving up to the 135-lb division to compete for the bantamweight belt now that it is vacant.
Amanda defended her bantamweight title by defeating Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC 289 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The legendary Brazilian MMA fighter retired after winning the five-round contest by scores of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-43, leaving the gold strap vacant.
Juliana Pena seething following Amanda Nunes’ retirement
The fiercest foe of Nunes, Julianna Pena, however, asserted that by quitting so soon, she has avoided their trilogy bout. There were countless verbal fights in interviews and on social media as a result of the long-standing hostility between Nunes and Pena.
Amanda Nunes against Juliana Pena vs. Amanda Nunes against Irene Aldana.
There's only 1 person who has done damage on Amanda recently. Her name is JULIANA PENA . #UFC269 #UFC277#UFC289 pic.twitter.com/wOcaAbhftN
— AfrikanChef_ZA ™ (@AfrikanChefZA) June 11, 2023
The rivalry between “The Lioness” and “The Venezuelan Vixen” first erupted in 2017 when Pena challenged Nunes, who did not view Pena as a worthy contender for a title opportunity. Julianna discussed her opinions on Amanda’s decision to retire in an interview with the MMA Hour.
“Don’t compare yourself to Anderson Silva! Do not compare yourself to Anderson Silva. Shut up! Boo! You suck!” Pena said.
In UFC 269, they finally squared off in the octagon. The American fighter stunned the world by breaking Amanda’s 12-fight winning streak. But Nunes quickly exacted retribution by defeating Pena in her subsequent fight.
The two fighters’ animosity grew more intense each day. However, now that Amanda is retired, Pena can thinks it now her time to rule.
“Now we’re stepping into day one of the ‘Peña Power’ era. I’ve always been the champ in my heart and in my head. So it’s just a matter of time before the belt’s around my waist again.” Pena said.
Juliana Peña is right to call out Amanda Nunes for being afraid of her. Amanda was shook—SHOOK- of Juliana’s Imanari Rolls. We all know the truth, queen! pic.twitter.com/BK3b817xMV
— T𑀣ᑏI 🇦🇱🇺🇸 (@RexKwonDo92) June 11, 2023
Erin Blanchfield prefers not to wait around for title opportunity
Blanchfield thinks she should fight for the title very soon. However, ‘Cold Blooded’ thinks she can either step up her game and move to bantamweight division or face Alexa Grasso, reigning champion of her weight division.
“I think that is something that’s super interesting. Julianna Peña is, I believe, the No. 1 contender right now. She’s the former champ. I think someone coming up from the flyweight division to fight her, I think would be super interesting.”
At the UFC Fight Night on February 18, Erin defeated Jéssica Andrade by submission in just the second round of the event headliner bout. During the MMA Hour interview, Erin went into great detail about her excitement and her goals for upcoming fights.
“I think a lot of people are curious when I’m going to be fighting next. I don’t have anything lined up right now. I feel like I’m one of the most interesting fights right now for that division and for that title.”
Erin Blanchfield wants Julianna Peña for vacant UFC bantamweight title next
Full story by @DamonMartin 📰 https://t.co/175k5p50pH pic.twitter.com/7jp4ABxekS
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 19, 2023
Do you think it would be a great decision for Erin Blanchfield to move to the bantamweight division? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
