Despite losing her bantamweight belt to Amanda Nunes at UFC 277 one week prior, Julianna Pena was on site at UFC on ESPN 40 to cheer on the athletes she coached on Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Nunes, however, was not in attendance — a fact that was not lost on Pena.
“I’m ready to go Round 8 right now,” Pena said during the UFC on ESPN 40 post-fight show. “Like, let’s freaking go. I’m here. Where you at, Amanda?
“Amanda, seriously, where are you at? You left your girl hanging out there. I showed up for Team Pena. She didn’t show up for Team Nunes. I’m here, I’m ready to go Round 8.”
Nunes reclaimed 135-pound gold with a decisive five-round verdict over Pena in the UFC 277 headliner on July 30 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas. That came on the heels of Pena’s second-round submission of Nunes at UFC 269, a result that is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Nunes made the necessary adjustments for the rematch, including a stance switch that led to multiple knockdowns. Pena found some consolation in the fact that she forced “Lioness” to change things up a bit.
“When somebody has entirely revamped and completely switched their entire stance and their entire fighting style because of me? I take that as a compliment,” Peña said. “I think if you give me time to get ready for both stances of Amanda, she doesn’t touch me next time.”
It’s unclear an immediate trilogy is in the UFC’s plans, or if Nunes will return to the Octagon before the end of the year. Pena, obviously, is hoping for both.
“I’m just really, really hoping that she heals up and she’s able to get back in there before the end of the year,” Peña said. “Because I’ll absolutely be ready for that trilogy fight.”
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