Amanda Nunes is once again the Ultimate Fighting Championship women's bantamweight champion after dispatching Julianna Pena in the main event of UFC 277.
Showing no fear, Pena (11-5) came out looking to strike against "Lioness." However, it was Nunes (22-5) fighting out of southpaw that was finding success early as she was able to land right hooks when "The Venezuelan Vixen" rushed in. Early in Round 2, Nunes would floor Pena with a right hand and do the same shortly afterward after the champion rushed in. A huge left hand would once again put down Pena to cement a dominant second frame. Pena would find some success early in the first round, but the champion was taken down and bloodied by punches and elbows.
Going into the championship rounds, Pena was told by her corner that she needed a finish if she was going to retain the bantamweight title. However, the Brazilian easily took Nunes down and continued to do damage from top control. Pena would attempt a shocking armbar that looked like it was completely locked in, but Nunes was able to escape and proceeded to bring down elbows. A bloodied Pena was once again taken down to start the final round. Submission threats from "The Venezuelan Vixen" helped her get up momentarily, but the fight was once again put on the floor as Pena ate more elbows. After 25 grueling minutes, Nunes won the bantamweight championship for the second time and took a unanimous decision with scores of 50-44, 50-44 and 50-43 in her favor.
Nunes is now 13-1 in her last 14 fights inside the Octagon.
Moreno Wins Interim Flyweight Gold
The interim flyweight championship was on the line as former champion Brandon Moreno took on Kai Kara France.
Moreno (20-6-2), who defeated "Don't Blink" back in 2019, was on the receiving end of a low blow early on and neither fighter was able to put the other in danger. However, it was "The Assassin Baby" that was generally a step ahead on the feet with Moreno's jab dictating the action. Kara France (24-10) would start finding more success early in the third frame with him able to ground Moreno during a scramble and open up a cut on the right cheek of the Mexican fighter. However, a perfectly-placed liver kick from Moreno floored Kara France and a series of punches prompted the stoppage from Herb Dean at 4:34 of Round 3.
Moreno is now on yet another collision course against flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who he is 1-1-1 against.
Pavlovich Rocks Lewis, Gets Questionable Stoppage
Derrick Lewis returned to the Octagon against rising heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich but it didn't end in his favor.
"The Black Beast" came out swinging but it was Pavlovich that rocked Lewis (26-10, 1 NC) first with a counter right hook. Pavlovich started landing uppercuts and kept connecting with punches. Lewis would fall down due to blows and was in the process of getting back up when the fight was stopped after just 55 seconds. Lewis complained of the stoppage and the replay showed that many of the final punches missed their mark.
Pavlovich advances to 16-1 with the win, which is blemished by a premature stoppage.
Pantoja Quickly Submits Perez
Alexandre Pantoja made quick work of fellow flyweight contender Alex Perez.
Pantoja (25-5) got off to a quick start and blitzed Perez (24-7). After tripping Perez, "The Cannibal" was able to take the back and began searching for a rear-naked choke. While he wasn't able to get under the neck, Pantoja did secure a neck crank. Unable to escape, the American tapped at just 1:31 of the first round.
Pantoja has now won three straight fights inside the Octagon.
Ankalaev Dispatches Injured Smith
The pay-per-view kicked off with a light heavyweight bout between surging prospect Magomed Ankalaev against former title contender Anthony Smith.
The bout stopped off slow with Ankalaev (17-1) largely controlling the opening frame with leg and body kicks. Smith (36-17) complained between rounds of an ankle injury and was desperate to take the fight to the ground in Round 2. After pulling guard to bring the fight to the ground, Ankalaev unloaded with ground-and-pound until the fight was stopped at the 3:09 mark.
After the fight, Smith said that his leg was broken.
More must-reads: